FIND STRENGTH IN GOD

SCRIPTURE: 1 Samuel 23:15–29

Introduction

The pursuit for David’s life (1 Sam 23:15) continued in the wilderness.

How can we be strengthened in the wilderness?

Two ways we are strengthened in the wilderness:

A. Receive God’s Encouragement (1 Sam 23:15-18)

And Jonathan … went to David … and strengthened his hand in God. Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you(v.16)

B. Experience God’s Deliverance (1 Sam 23:19-29)

“As Saul and his men were closing in on David … to capture them, a messenger came …” (vv.26b, 27a)

Conclusion

“Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.” (Psa 54:4)

Reflection Questions (for CGs and families)

  1. To what extent are you prepared to encourage someone this week? What is one thing that the Lord is calling you to do to be someone’s “Jonathan”?

  2. What dead-end situation requiring God’s divine deliverance are you experiencing now? What are the promises you can cling on to as you trust God to be the Helper and Sustainer of your life?

 
Next Week’s Sermon

1 Samuel 24:1–22

Next Week’s Speakers

Sarah Chan (BPJ), Rev Dr Chua Chung Kai (WDL), & Ps Matthew Lo (East)

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 10: 4-19
Sat, 30 September 2023

Strengthened by the Divine Touch

Observation:

What is the significance of the repetition of the terms “strength” and
“strengthen” in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17, 18, 19)?

Deeper Reflection
When God sent His Word to Daniel in a vision, it was he “alone saw” the “great vision” (vv.7-8). It was a special privilege of divine sovereign grace. The vision was also a vision of God’s holiness and glory manifested in the awesome appearance of a heavenly being (vv.5-6). Daniel was so utterly overwhelmed by the divine vision, that “no strength was left in me” (v.8). The description, “no strength”, is emphatically repeated four times in Daniel’s encounter with God (vv.8, 16, 17). We may not experience such an utterly overwhelming encounter with God like Daniel’s, but we do experience “no strength was left in me” in utterly overwhelming adversities like being “afflicted in every way” (2 Cor 1:8; 4:8-9).When we have “no strength”, we need the divine touch. God responded to Daniel’s fourfold “no strength” with a threefold divine touch (vv.10, 16, 18): He “touched me again and strengthened me”. When we are so greatly afflicted, that we feel no strength is left in us, and yet we persevere in faithfulness, it is because we are being “strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of great endurance and patience” (Col 1:11). Note the intensity and immensity of this divine power at work in us! This is the divine touch of “the surpassing greatness of power” from God (2 Cor 4:7-9). But we feel the physical and emotional pains more than the Spiritual power. The greater is our suffering, the greater will be the strength from God in us, and the greater will be our steadfastness in God.
Application:

What is my experience of the Word of God and spiritual warfare like in my
discipleship journey?

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 Church Board: To know God’s power that is perfected in weaknesses
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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