Scripture:
Daniel 4:6-9, 18
Mon, 15 May 2023

We Are First God’s Servants (1)

Observation:

What was Daniel’s attitude when he was not at first among “all the wise
men of Babylon” whom Nebuchadnezzar consulted on the interpretation
of his dream?

Deeper Reflection
It was not by choice that Daniel was living in Babylon and serving the Babylonian king (Dan 1). He was captured by the enemies of his nation in a war, and compelled to be where he was and doing what he was doing now. His social status in Babylon was always “an exile from Judah” (Dan 2:25; 5:13; 6:13). But Daniel walked with God faithfully (Dan 1:8). That was central and fundamental in Daniel’s life.When we walk with God faithfully, we are walking in alignment with God’s purpose for our lives. It means God is fulfilling His purpose and we are fulfilling God’s purpose. Thus, for Daniel, his circumstances constituted God’s calling for his life. In serving the Babylonian king, Daniel viewed himself first as a servant of God. For Daniel, serving the king was actually a means of serving God who had appointed the king. When Christian employees (“slaves”) serve their employers (“masters”), they are to recognise that “It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col 3:22-24). And Christian masters (employers) are servants of their Master in heaven (Eph 6:9).Daniel served Nebuchadnezzar with commitment. When Nebuchadnezzar called “all the wise men of Babylon” to interpret his dream, Daniel was left out, even though he alone was up to the task (vv.6-8). Daniel did not have a FOMO33 feeling, because he was first a servant of God, and he recognised the sovereignty of God over being included or excluded. When Daniel was finally consulted by Nebuchadnezzar, and his unique competency was acknowledged, there wasn’t any sense of prideful self-importance or indispensability in him.
32 Romans 1:1 33 Fear Of Missing Out
Application:

How do I deal with the fear of being left out?

Prayer:
Surely, Lord Jesus, You want me to be able to call myself “a bond-servant of Christ Jesus”, like Paul,32 and not just in mere words. Grant me to know deep inside me the meaning and significance in a real way of embracing this sacred identity. As I follow You, help me to be a servant of the Servant of God and to know the kind of servant that You are.
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 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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