Read To Me Daily Semester 4Sample

EZRA 1:
Before going to Ezra, I want to say that one can do a whole lot of digging deeper in the last two chapters of Daniel. History tells about those kings, and we know from what Jesus said and what is written in Revelation, that God plans for history to repeat itself. The main ‘take-away’ points are clear, just as they are in Revelation: Blessed are those who endure and live wise and holy lives.

It is a great time now to return to those three small books of history remaining for us to read this year: Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. These books allow us to see the fulfilment of prophecies we have read about. King Cyrus was one of the kings served by Daniel and alluded to in his prophetic visions. Now, in Ezra, we will read Cyrus’ proclamation, which is in accordance with Jeremiah’s prophecy about the 70 year duration of the exile in Babylonia. And we haven’t read it yet, but Isaiah specifically names Cyrus twice— writing about him some 150 to 200 years before Cyrus was born.

ISAIAH 29:
The advantage of reading Isaiah in a meaning based translation like the GNT/NLT is that you readers and listeners have had the pleasure of understanding the mocking of Isaiah (or God, in the NLT) by the people of Israel, and Isaiah and God’s mocking response (28:7-13). Then in that context, it is shocking to find the famous verses quoted in the New Testament:

Is. 28:16 NLT Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says:
“Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem,
a firm and tested stone.
It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.
Whoever believes need never be shaken.

The New Testament quotes this verse three times. In all three, the last line has the object “believes in him” (Jesus) because Paul and Peter quoted from the Septuagint, the ancient translation of the OT into Greek.

2CORINTHIANS 10:
The heart of what Paul was teaching about in 2nd Corinthians chapter 9 about the practice of Christian charity is this:

2Cor. 9:6 GNT Remember that the person who plants few seeds will have a small crop; the one who plants many seeds will have a large crop.
8 And God is able to give you more than you need, so that you will always have all you need for yourselves and more than enough for every good cause.
15 Let us thank God for his priceless gift!

Just like Philippians 4, it should never be forgotten that the promise of God providing (such as v.8) is found in the context of people who are already unselfishly supporting God’s work.

Let’s pray.
Our sovereign God and eternal Father, we thank you that you preserved the book of Daniel for us. May we be more and more like him in humbling ourselves, repenting of sin, and praying for understanding. May we— like him, seek to find your will as we see amazing things taking place among the nations of the world. Jesus told us that the Awful Horror will again take place, so we know that the shadowy fulfillments of Daniel’s prophecy in the past are only illustrations of what will happen in the future. We know that the little boastful horn ruling the nations now will only be permitted to defeat the people of God for the time You have planned. Then he will be defeated, and not by human forces. Those who have taught many people to do what is right will shine like the stars forever. Now, Lord, through Christ, You have told us what the angel told Daniel. He said, “Daniel, God loves you.” Oh, if all these things are true, then we thank You so much for your priceless gift of Grace in Christ. May we be both wise, and generous.