In today’s Bible reading* the people returning from Babylon run into opposition to their charge to rebuild the Temple. The people who had remained in the land offered to help with the construction, and those returning responded, “No thanks. We have no common interests with you in rebuilding the temple.” (Ezra 4:3) Why would the…
Today’s Bible reading* raises an interesting question: “How free is our free will?” Many people hold very strongly to the view that everyone has free will. There are even Free Will Baptists. Second Chronicles 36:22 and Ezra 1:1 are parallel passages; they say the same thing about Cyrus of Persia. In the first year of…
Today’s Bible reading* gives us a peek into the issue of Spiritual Warfare. Daniel prayed and waited for an answer, trusting that God was hearing his prayers and would answer. He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for…
In today’s Bible reading* Daniel has some spectacular visions that terrify him. Chapters Seven through Nine coincide with the stories in Daniel Chapters Five and Six. In other words, Chapters Seven through Nine are flashbacks. Daniel investigates Jeremiah’s prophecy and timetable and learns that God’s punishment for His people would last for seventy years. This…
Today’s Bible reading* includes three somewhat familiar stories for those of us who have been around church for a while. It’s a tale of three kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. In Daniel Chapter Four, King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream and asked Daniel to interpret it as he had done previously. Daniel tells the king that…
How should you respond when someone demands something that goes against your faith convictions? What if those making those demands are your government leaders, who have been established by God? We begin reading Daniel with today’s Bible reading*. As I read it, I saw a powerful application for today and will use this in today’s…
