Scripture:
Jonah 1:1-3; Psalm 139:7
Mon, 24 January 2022

The Running Man

Observation:

What repeated words and phrases do you notice in these verses?

Deeper Reflection
IN THIS WEEK LEADING UP TO BLESSING SUNDAY, WE consider the story of Jonah. This story is well-loved and included in children’s Bibles everywhere because of the appearance of the great fish (Jon 1:17)! But it is really not about the fish. In the first three verses of this masterpiece, the main cast is introduced – the LORD who commands and Jonah who rejects the command. The book of Jonah61 is a unique prophetic book for two reasons. First, it focuses more about the personal experiences of Jonah, rather than Jonah’s message. This is very different from all the other Old Testament prophetic books.62 Second, the prophet Jonah is portrayed negatively. Biblical scholar Douglas Stuart tells us that we can boil down the overall message of the book of Jonah to a simple warning: “Don’t be like Jonah!”63Jonah was perhaps the original “running man”. Twice in verse 3 it was mentioned that Jonah sought to run “from the presence of the LORD”. It was also mentioned twice that Jonah “went down” (v.3, NAS) – to Joppa and into the ship that Jonah believed would take him to freedom. Jonah’s life was indeed rolling downhill because of his rebellion against the LORD. Puzzling why Jonah thought that he could escape God (see Psa 139:7!). Jonah may have believed that if he stayed in Israel, he would have heard more from God, but if he left, he would have been let off the hook.64 Have we ever done the same – shut our ears to God’s voice and (secretly) told God to leave us alone? There is a bit of Jonah in all of us.
61Located within the collection of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. 62Douglas Stuart, Hosea-Jonah (Dallas: Word, 1987), 431. 63Ibid., 434. 64Ibid., 450.
Application:

What instruction or burden is God placing upon my heart, and what am I going to do about it?

Prayer:
O LORD, thank you for the message of Jonah. We confess that we too are inclined to run away from You, especially when You call us to something that disagrees with our preferences. Help us this day to run toward You instead, even in the midst of life’s pains, pressures and perplexities. Give us the grace to hear and obey You, and the eyes of faith to see that Your ways are always good. Amen.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 5:7-17
Wed, 31 May 2023

Answering God’s Call in Vocation

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel did not choose to serve Babylonian kings in Babylon. It was circumstances – a national crisis of his country – that compelled Daniel to be where he was and doing what he was doing. Daniel did not have the privilege, opportunity or freedom to pursue a career of his own desire. However, it was out of these adverse circumstances, that Daniel discovered God’s call for him: To serve God through serving Babylonian kings. And God gave him the specific competency to fulfil God’s call (Dan 1:17). After Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar about his dream and the interpretation, he was “promoted” to be “ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon” (Dan 2:48).When Belshazzar gathered his wise men to interpret for him the inscription on the wall, Daniel was not among them. Daniel was not unknown to Belshazzar.59 He knew him as “one of the exiles from Judah, whom my father the king brought from Judah” and “appointed him chief ” over all the wise men of Babylon (vv.11-12). It was only when the queen mentioned Daniel to him, that Belshazzar called for him (vv.10-11). Belshazzar “deliberately ignored Daniel”60 . Daniel was sidelined. How do you respond to being sidelined? For Daniel, he felt secure. Daniel was secure because he had no ambition to climb the corporate ladder. He had no interest in rewards and promotion. Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Keep your gifts for yourself or give your rewards to someone else” (vv.16-17). But Daniel interpreted the inscription for Belshazzar. Daniel was answering God’s call for him.
59 Ernest C. Lucas, 131 60 Ernest C. Lucas, 131
Application:

What positive attitudes do I need to cultivate in my workplace?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: To view their vocation as answering God’s call for their lives
  • Pray for self
 

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