Tuesday, May 9, 2006
A Purifying Effect
So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. . .
—Daniel 9:3
When we study Bible prophecy (and we should), there ought to be a reason. There are some who love to consider the developments that are taking place globally, technologically, and militarily today. Bible prophecy is sort of a hobby to them. But it should not be studied for mere entertainment.
Rather, the study of Bible prophecy should be undertaken to motivate us toward personal godliness and bold evangelism. The Bible tells us that as the prophet Daniel studied the Book of Jeremiah, he realized God’s impending judgment was coming upon the nation of
How did that affect him? Daniel said, “So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and fasting. I wore rough sackcloth and sprinkled myself with ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed…” (Daniel 9:3–4).
Interestingly, when you read the Book of Daniel, you really won’t find any criticism of him. That is not to say Daniel was perfect, but it is to say that he was very godly. In spite of that, as he studied prophecy, instead of being merely entertained by it, he was personally moved. He confessed, “We have sinned and done wrong…” (Daniel 9:5).
Is that how you are affected when you realize that God’s judgment is coming? Instead of saying, “Yes, Lord, come and judge the world, because they deserve it,” would you say, “Lord, is there any sin in my life that would displease You?” Our study of Bible prophecy should motivate us to live holy lives. It should have a purifying effect on us.
For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org.
Copyright © 2006 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,