HOW THEN SHOULD WE SERVE?

Introduction

We cannot meaningfully answer the question, “How then shall we live?” without meaningfully answering this question, “How then shall we serve?”

To live meaningfully, we must serve faithfully. Why?

For God has not called us to be merely Consumers, God has called us to be Contributors!

A. WE ARE TO SERVE WITH SINCERE CONSCIENTIOUSNESS (v.17)

“But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavoured the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face.”

 

B. WE ARE TO SERVE WITH STRONG CONFIDENCE (v.18)

“Because we wanted to come to you — I, Paul, again and again— BUT SATAN HINDERED US”.

Yes, God indeed has the power to stop Satan. But God in His wisdom allows it for at least FOUR reasons:

  1. To allow evil to run its course, that His GRACE might be fully revealed
  2. That God’s WISDOM AND WILL be ultimately glorified
  3. To build and deepen our faith
  4. Most importantly, God has ALREADY intervened in time-space history – THROUGH THE CROSS!!

 

C. WE ARE TO SERVE WITH STEADFAST CHEER (v.19)

“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?”

If we are not careful, soon enough, four deadly spiritual conditions creep in:

  1. Living for self rather than living for God
  2. Living for the temporal rather than living for the eternal
  3. Living in the flesh rather than living in the Spirit
  4. Living from the outside-in rather than living from the inside-out

 

Conclusion

Power up and power through – as we keep our eyes on the Guide!

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 7:13-18, 25-27; 11:29-36
Sat, 2 December 2023

The Triumph

Observation:

What characterises the triumph of God’s people in tribulations under tyrants?

Deeper Reflection
God’s people living under tyrants and suffering tribulations under them can triumph – whether we are delivered from or destroyed in tribulation. The triumph rests on a threefold confidence.We know the conclusion of evil. It is repeated in manifold ways in Daniel that evil that comes through inhuman kings – no matter how great and how long – will definitely come to an end: “he will be broken” (Dan 8:25), “he will be found no more” (Dan 11:19), “yet he will come to his end” (Dan 11:45) and “all these events will be completed” (Dan 12:7).We know God’s calling for us: To be a suffering people – to be captured, plundered, burned or killed (Dan 11:33). But in our suffering, we can be strong as “people who know their God” (Dan 11:32), knowing that God is purging and purifying us to become a sanctified (Dan 11:35; 12:10) and shining people who “shine brightly” with heavenly brightness in the hostile world (Dan 12:3). And we will be a steadfast people who “keep waiting and attain to the 1,335 days” (Dan 12:12) – until we become a sovereign people who “receive and possess the kingdom forever” from “the Ancient of Days” (vv.13-14, 18, 27).We know who is in control. The tribulations under the tyrants in Daniel 7 to 12 are all subject to and subsumed under “that which is decreed will be done” (Dan 11:36; 9:26, 27) “at the appointed time” (Dan 11:27, 29, 35).We conclude Daniel with this theological-discipleship summary statement: We can triumph in tribulations under tyrants when we trust with tenacity in the One who is on the throne.
Application:

How can I triumph in tribulations?

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 grow in the faith and perseverance of overcomers in Christ
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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