Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:1-9; Micah 7:18-19
Mon, 13 June 2022

Total Picture of God’s Wrath (1)

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the wrath of God?

Deeper Reflection
SOME OF THE THESSALONIANS WERE “AFRAID” OF CHRIST’S Second Coming, “because to them it spelled judgment; how could they be confident that it would bring them salvation instead?”27 Paul addresses this fear. We need not fear when we are awake, alert, self-controlled and well-armed based on who we are – “children of light, children of the day” (vv.4-8). And of particular importance with regards to the Thessalonians’ fear is “the hope of salvation” (v.8). And the first truth that Paul underscores in “the hope of salvation” is “God has not destined us to wrath” (v.9).What is the wrath of God? The wrath of God is “almost totally different from human anger. It does not mean that God loses His temper, flies into a rage, or is ever malicious, spiteful or vindictive”, but it is God “reacting in revulsion against sin. It is His deeply personal abhorrence of evil”28. It is “His holy hostility to evil, His refusal to condone it or come to terms with it, His just judgment upon it.”29But it is of great importance that we understand and appreciate the heart of this God of wrath. We see much of God’s wrath in the Old Testament, especially the Prophets – mainly because of Israel’s persistent covenant unfaithfulness to God that called for it. God’s “anger is but for a moment, His favour is for a lifetime” (Psa 30:5). God “does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love” and He “will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea” (Mic 7:18-19). God’s grace is greater than even His fiercest anger.
27 John R. W. Stott, Thessalonians, 113 28 John R. W. Stott, Romans, 72 29 John R. W. Stott, Romans, 72
Application:

How do I respond to the truth and reality of the wrath of God?

Prayer:
Indeed, O God, when the day of Your great wrath comes, who can stand?24 But I give You thanks for the immeasurable riches of Your grace that You have lavished on me in Christ, that through His death I have redemption and forgiveness of my sins;25 and thus, You have saved from Your own wrath. Help me not to come short of Your grace.26
24 Revelation 6:17 25 Ephesians 1:7-8a 26 Hebrews 12:15
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 5:17, 25-31; 6:1-2
Mon, 5 June 2023

Serving from Babylon to Persia

Observation:

What is the significance of Daniel serving in the Babylonian and Persian
courts successively?

Deeper Reflection
God’s word to Belshazzar that He would “put an end” to his kingdom and give it “over to the Medes and Persians” was fulfilled immediately – “that same night” (v.30) – after Daniel’s interpretation of the inscription on the wall (vv.25-31). God can fulfil His Word immediately or after a long time. Whatever time God may take to fulfil His Word, He is “trustworthy in all His promises and faithful in all He does” (Psa 145:13b, NIV).The demise of the Babylonian hegemony was not just a historical event, but primarily a theological one. Nebuchadnezzar was “My servant” whom God raised to judge His unfaithful people in the seventy-year Babylonian exile (Jer 25:8-9, 11). When God had accomplished His purpose through Babylon, “I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation” (Jer 25:12). This is how God deals with arrogant and evil nations: “And Babylon, the beauty of kingdoms, the glory of the Chaldeans’ pride, will be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah” (Isa 13:19).The end of Babylon does not mean an insecure future for Daniel. However drastically our circumstances may change, God’s call for our lives remains when we walk with Him faithfully. We are secure in God’s call, because it is God’s call. Daniel became one of “the three commissioners” in Persia (Dan 6:1-2). It wasn’t that having lost his job Daniel applied to serve the Persian king. Daniel couldn’t do that. It was purely by royal appointment. But behind the “It seemed good to Darius to appoint” (Dan 6:1) was God’s call for Daniel to serve Him from Babylon to Persia.
Application:

How do I relate God’s call for me in drastic changes of my life situations?

Prayer:
Lord, I believe You have a calling for my life which You have intended to be distinctive for me. I want to live my life with a deep sense of answering Your calling. Help me to walk with You faithfully, knowing that as I do so, You will unfold Your plans for me in that calling. Grant me wisdom and understanding to discern Your calling for my life.
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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