Scripture:
Daniel 3:6, 8-11, 15
Thu, 23 March 2023

To Bow or Be Burned

Observation:

What does verse 6 tell us about Nebuchadnezzar the king?

Deeper Reflection
King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to worship his golden statue was accompanied by a penal code: Whoever does not obey his command will be thrown into a “furnace of blazing fire” (v.6). This underscores that the government was serious. “Bow or burn! Toast to the king or toast yourself!” 29 For Nebuchadnezzar, “the state itself is the ultimate reality which governs the totality of the lives of its subjects and demands complete loyalty and obedience” 30 .For the people of God in exile, it was compromise or be consumed. At such times, what comes to the forefront is the cost of discipleship. But, if we take biblical discipleship seriously, the cost of discipleship will be in our dominant consciousness. Paul is a model par excellence of this discipleship dominant consciousness: “I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things” (Phil 3:8). In Paul’s discipleship, the starting point is not the cost. It is “the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,” which makes whatever the cost worth paying.We pay the cost of discipleship in active devotion – like burning bridges to follow the Lord – and in passive situations – like suffering persecution. When we remain faithful to God and endure and persevere in weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions and difficulties, we are doing so “for Christ’s sake” (2 Cor 12:10). We are paying a cost of discipleship when we remain faithful no matter what.What cost of discipleship have you paid in following Jesus faithfully?
29 Christopher J. H. Wright, 68 30 Christopher J. H. Wright, 68-69
Application:

How do I respond to authority that uses harmful threats?

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 Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To be empowered to pay the cost of discipleship
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

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: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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