Scripture:
Daniel 4:34
Fri, 26 May 2023

Where Are My Eyes Looking?

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Nebuchadnezzar in
this verse?

Deeper Reflection
Daniel 4 is about God dealing with “those who walk in pride” (Dan 4:37). In a way, pride is concretely defined by “I myself have built…by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty” (Dan 4:30). Pride “locates the self at the centre of the universe, glorifying in its own achievements and putting everyone else in second place. Its eyes are always directed sideways and downwards, comparing ourselves with others, and endlessly trying to outdo them. In its very nature, pride has to be cleverer than someone else or more attractive than other people.”51Pride has to do with where our eyes are looking. The “eyes of pride are always fixed on myself and my performance, in a way that leaves no room for looking upwards to God”52 . God is gracious when He deals with our pride, because pride blinds us and we cannot see it in us by ourselves. God has to show us our pride, and oftentimes, by tearing down our ego, as He did to Nebuchadnezzar. God will do so until we “raised my eyes toward heaven” (v.34) – until we see God. We can see our pride only when we see God. And especially, when we look “toward heaven”, we see the One “who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself… He humbled Himself…even [to] death on a cross” (Phil 2:6-8). As we see Him, we know Him and walk with Him in the Spirit of “Jesus of Nazareth” (Jn 1:45-46).
51 Iain M. Duguid, Daniel, Reformed Expository Commentary (P&R, 2008), 70 52 Iain M. Duguid, 70
Application:

What changes do I need to make with regards to my focus in life?

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 SGI leaders: To keep Christ as the central focus in their lives
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for
  • 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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