Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 5:15-17; 1 Corinthians 7:39
Wed, 4 May 2022

Understanding the Will of God

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about the will of God in these passages?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL EXHORTS THE THESSALONIANS TO “ABSTAIN FROM sexual immorality” on the grounds that “sanctification” is “the will of God” (v.3). We do find ourselves asking, “What is God’s will for me concerning…?” or saying “It is God’s will for me to…”. God’s will is dynamic, which requires a holistic understanding.God’s will for how we are to live our lives in following Jesus is revealed in the Word of God. So, understanding the Scriptures is critical, for it is through understanding the Scriptures that we understand the will of God. To follow Jesus is to walk like Jesus, who lived His life by the Scriptures (Matt 4:3-4). But “becoming like Christ can never be a simple matter of obeying a set of rules, because we simply do not know what Christ would do or say in all the contemporary circumstances we face”3. So, we need to pray to be “filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all Spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9) that we may “understand what the will of God is” from the Scriptures and walk carefully and wisely in the particular situations that we are in (Eph 5:15-17).There is also the part of God fulfilling His will for our lives. Here, we are passive in God’s will. God has also given us the freedom to make choices, but within the fence. A widow is “free to be married to whom she wishes (not God!)” – freedom, but “only in the Lord” – the fence (1 Cor 7:39). When we follow Jesus, He will lead and guide us in this freedom (Prov 16:9).
3 J. Clinton McCann, Jr., A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms (Abingdon Press, 1993), 37
Application:

What does it mean for me for live my life according to the will of 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 Nations: That God’s redemptive will prevails in the nations
  • Pray for self

Download this Building Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for East QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for WDL QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

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
 

Download this New Life Fund QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

Download this General Fund for BPJ QR Code  and upload it to your banking app via your gallery/album. 

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.