Scripture:
Daniel 3:1-7, 13-18
Sat, 22 October 2022

Total Picture of Divine Deliverance

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about God’s deliverance?

Deeper Reflection
NEBUCHADNEZZAR, KING OF BABYLON, “THE KING OF KINGS” (Dan 2:37), was the most powerful human being in the known world then. One day, King Nebuchadnezzar “made an image of gold” (v.1) and demanded all his subjects in the Babylonian empire – “all the nations and peoples of every language” (v.4, NIV) – “to fall down and worship the golden image” (v.5), and “whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace” (v.6).Three Jewish young men – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego – refused to obey the king to worship his golden image. But Nebuchadnezzar gave them a chance to change their minds as he boasted before them, “What god is there who can deliver you out of my hands?” (v.15). The three young men stood firm in their decision with two discipleship attitudes.We are confident in God that He can deliver us: “our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…and He will deliver us” (v.17). But this confidence in God must be accompanied by this divine possibility: “But if He does not” (v.18a). This divine possibility calls for a higher level of faith in God: We are committed to God even if He does not deliver us – “we are not going to serve your gods” (v.18b). This discipleship confidence and commitment is anchored in God’s covenant commitment to us, reflected in “our God” (v.17). “Our God” is an expression of covenant relationship with God, characterised by keeping of the covenant (Deut 4:13; 7:9): God’s commitment to us and our commitment to Him.
Application:

What changes do I need to make in my understanding of God’s deliverance
from troubles?

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 Church Board: That God will be their refuge and strength in times of trouble
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

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 pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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