Scripture:
1 Samuel 30:1-3; 29:1-2, 6-11
Mon, 6 December 2021

Troubles Happen Alongside Divine Activity

Observation:

What can you learn about God from what happened to David when he was away from his home (1 Sam 29:1-2, 6-11) and what happened to his home at the same time (vv.1-3)?

Deeper Reflection
THINGS JUST HAPPEN. This is a reality in life. Things happen which we do not anticipate or suspect. If they are good things, we are fine with them. But what if they are bad things and we are totally unaware when they happened? This happened to David while he and his men were returning to Ziklag from Aphek: “Then it happened…” (v.1; cf. 1 Sam 29:11). While David and his men were away from Ziklag, their hometown (1 Sam 27:6), the Amalekites raided Ziklag and overthrew the city and burned it with fire, and “took captive the women and all who were in it” and “carried them off” (vv.1-2). When David and his men reached home, they got a rude shock as they discovered what had happened: their home was destroyed, and their wives and children had disappeared (v.3). Now, let us look at what happened to David when he was away from home and what happened to his home at the same time. When David was away from home, God in His quiet presence and timely intervention rescued him from his self-made tangled web at Aphek (1 Sam 29:1-2, 6-11). But at the same time, great troubles happened at his home. Looking at these two situations of the same person, do we say that God was present in one – a positive experience − but not in the other – a negative experience? Theologically, it is not, although we may feel that way when this happens to us. Troubles can happen alongside divine activity in our lives.
Application:

What does the theological reality that troubles can happen alongside divine activity in one’s life mean to me personally?

Prayer:
O Sovereign God, from Whom and through Whom and to Whom are all things, Your judgments are unsearchable, Your ways are unfathomable! Both the days of prosperity and days of adversity come from You.4 In times of trouble, You can deliver me, and You will deliver me, or You may not deliver me.5 Help me to trust in You in all things and at all times.
4 Ecclesiastes 7:14
5 Daniel 3:17-18
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise:
  • Leaders:
  • Significant people:
  • Those in need:
  • 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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