As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. – Daniel 9:13
A professor at the University of Virginia assembled volunteers to sit in a room and not do or say anything for 10 to 20 minutes, without relying on external devices like cell phones. There were two rules: stay in your chair and don’t fall asleep. Each volunteer was provided a button to press before the exercise began. The action administered an electric shock. Within 12 minutes, 25 percent of the women and 70 percent of the men had shocked themselves again to keep awake.
Hundreds of years earlier, Blaise Pascal, the French philosopher said, “All of humanity’s problems stem from men’s inability to sit quietly in a room alone.” His observation stood the test of time. It seems even more true when one is by himself desiring to pray. There is no button to press, and even the prompting of the Holy Spirit may not be enough of an encouragement. The discipline of prayer starts with time in God’s Word.
Paul told Timothy, “Think over what I say for the Lord will give you understanding in everything” (2 Timothy 2:7). God longs for you to understand what He has spoken. He wants you to gain insight, not just get information. Keeping a spiritual journal is a resource that can help you reflect on what is happening in your journey with the Lord. You can record what you have been studying, and the insights and direction God has given you for your life. Fasting is another discipline that may help you focus on the Lord and His promises as you face suffering and trials.
Today, as you spend time in Scripture, pray that God would open the eyes of your heart, giving them enlightenment, so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, and the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18), understanding that He is faithful to His promises and will do what He has said (Hebrews 10:23).
Today’s Verse: Daniel 9:13
As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Peter 2:1-3, 17-21
2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
