Read To Me Daily Semester 4Sample

DANIEL 10:20—12:
Yesterday we heard Daniel’s sincere prayer. Note that he had been seeking the Lord with limited fasting for 3 weeks. Then the angel Gabriel is again sent with a message for Daniel. Note that the phrase ‘anoint the Most Holy Place’ is probably referring to what we read about in Hebrews recently— that which our High Priest Jesus did in heaven. Gabriel’s message about seventy sets of seven, or seventy weeks and 62 weeks, are both a difficult translational problem and a prophetic mystery. If we could solve the prophetic mystery, then we would know how to translate it. 

Then in chapter 10, Daniel saw the awesome angel, and Daniel was so overcome that he needed to be strengthened in order to hear and understand the angel’s message. Note that the angel knew that Daniel’s prayers and humbling himself through fasting and other means were for the purpose of gaining understanding. 

ISAIAH 28:
Yesterday’s chapter in Isaiah was again full of contrasts. Israel is God’s fruitful vine, and he slays the great sea serpent (which pictures Satan) for his vine. But then God also calls Israel a stupid nation and vows that they will not escape the punishment they deserve.

2CORINTHIANS 9:
Today we read the second of two chapters encouraging the Corinthian church to participate in the monetary help that Paul and his friends were proposing for the believers back in Judea. In chapter 8 Paul used the example of the Macedonian believers to spur the Corinthian church on. He also praised the Corinthians for being the first to think of this project. Now he urges them to do what they planned. Then he showed how this gift would be faithfully administered, and simultaneously put pressure on the Corinthian church with the arrival of men who were designated to be responsible for delivering the gifts. Verse 9 is a major motivation for giving generously to any cause the glorifies Christ:

2Cor. 8:9 GNT You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.

Let’s pray.
Lord Jesus, the apostle John describes you as looking so much like the angel that Daniel saw. Your arms and legs shine like polished bronze, your face is as bright as a flash of lightning, your eyes blaze like fire, and your voice is like the roar of the sea or of a great crowd. John’s reaction was like Daniel’s. Both fell down in extreme awe. If such holy men fell down like that, what should our reaction be if we were to see you like they did? Forgive us Lord for not deeply honoring you. Forgive the flippant way we often pray to you. Lord, give us a spirit of repentance like Daniel had. “You are great, Lord, and we honor You. You are faithful to your covenant and show constant love to those who love you and do what you command.” But we have sinned. Although knowing your will, we have turned away, and we have rebelled. Our actions have been sinful, and our thoughts are full of sin. Have mercy on us today as we confess to you.