For Reading and Meditation:
Daniel 11:14-35
What are the benefits of keeping our gaze continually focused on God? I can think of at least three. First, the more we study Him the more we will want to become like Him. The most natural thing in the world when there is a good relationship between parents and their children is for that child to want to become like them. That is the way it is also with God our Father. The more we discover of His love, His holiness, His purity, His trustworthiness, His strength, His patience, the more we want to emulate Him. Second, the more we study God the better we will know ourselves. When Isaiah stepped into the Temple and had a vision of God, he also saw the truth about himself. Things that were hidden deep within him came to light in the presence of the Eternal. Third, the more we study Him the clearer will be our perspective on the world. When you see that God is in charge then you won't panic every time you open the newspaper. You can only know God, of course, through Christ, and because You have Him, instead of saying, "Look what the world has come to," you will be able to say: "Look what has come to the world." The people who know their God will firmly resist the Adversary, says Daniel. The Amplified Bible puts it well: "– the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits." I can do no more than to say - there you have it in a nutshell. The more you know God the stronger you will be.
My Father and my God, now I set my course for the wide seas. With Your truth as my compass, and Your Word as my chart, I set sail on this great adventure - to know You better. I can count on You but can I count on me? With Christ's help I can. In Jesus' Name. Amen.