Scripture:
2 Thessalonians 3:10
Fri, 11 November 2022

Work as a Practical Necessity

Observation:

What does Paul’s apostolic command tell us about work?

Deeper Reflection
PAUL GIVES THE THESSALONIANS WHO REFUSED TO WORK his apostolic command: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (v.10). There is a relationship between working and eating. God said to the first humans that He created, “Behold, I have given you every plant… every tree yielding fruit; it shall be food for you” (Gen 1:29). But God’s way in His provision is, humans must “cultivate the ground” for the plants and trees to grow to become food for them (Gen 2:5, 15). Theologically, work is to be also seen as a practical necessity, besides viewing work as answering God’s call. We work because we need to eat.When I was doing my national service (1976-78), I thought about what I would do after completing it. I thought of becoming a teacher or a nurse. My highest education is secondary four. At that time, with that educational qualification I could apply to be a teacher or a nurse. I first applied to be teacher. I was unsuccessful. I still had one more option, I thought. But I did not get into nursing as well. So now, having a profession as my career was no longer an option for me. But I needed to work – out of practical necessity. So, I applied for any job that I could. I ended up working in a factory as a blue-collar worker for nine years until the time I answered God’s call to full-time ministry. In serving God full-time, I did become a teacher and a nurse. I teach the Word of God and nurse the souls of people.
Application:

What does it mean for me that work is a practical necessity?

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 see the sacredness of work in its mundaneness
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10:11-12, 14-19
Tue, 26 September 2023

A Man of High Esteem

Observation:

What significant observations can you make about Daniel being called “man of high esteem” (vv.11, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
One of the heavenly beings called Daniel “man of high esteem” (v.11). This honour was bestowed on Daniel emphatically, in that it was repeated twice (v.19). This “high esteem” did not come from man, but from God Himself. God gave this honour to Daniel toward the end of his life when God called him to “enter into rest” (Dan 12:13). As a youth, Daniel “made up his mind not to defile himself with the king’s choice food” (Dan 1:8), and as an old man, he was faithful to God in spending time with Him in his “three times a day” devotion, even if it means to be thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:10). Daniel was finishing well in his life with “humbling yourself before your God” (v.12). When we think of finishing well in terms of successful accomplishments, we must be careful that we are not exalting ourselves.It is not for us to see ourselves in any way as a person of high esteem before God. It is for God to say that to us (2 Cor 10:17-18). Daniel never saw himself as a “man of high esteem”. A key emphasis in Daniel 10 is Daniel being greatly overwhelmed by the holiness and glory of God represented by the heavenly being with an awesome appearance (Dan 10:5-10, 15-18). And it was in this encounter with God when he was called “man of high esteem” that Daniel said, “How can such a servant of my Lord talk with such as my Lord?”50 (v.17). The man highly esteemed by God saw his unworthiness before God.
50 I have theologically translated “my lord” to “my Lord”, since the heavenly being is a representation of God.
Application:

What does being highly esteemed by God mean to me?

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 pastors and staff: To be able to see oneself as God sees
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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