Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
Jul 15, 2026, 8:11 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 8-11
Meditation Verse: 8:12
Thought
On account of sin, Israel was sent into exile. After seventy years, God brought them back to their land. But they would not remain faithful or they would not return in full repentance. Because this awful king who will do away with the daily sacrifice and set up the abomination that causes desolation would be sent against them because of their transgression.
Jul 14, 2026, 7:38 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 5:21-23
Thought
Belshazzar knew of his father's insanity, both the cause and the reason his kingdom was restored. Nebuchadnezzar lost his kingdom because of his own pride, thinking that he had made Babylon great without recognizing that it was God who allowed it and blessed him. But when his mind returned, he blessed the God of heaven and his kingdom was restored to him.
Jul 13, 2026, 7:01 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 48 - Daniel 3
Meditation Verses: Daniel 3:27-28
Thought
It is good and right to refuse to obey commands that violate the Law and heart of the Lord. But that doesn't mean we throw out respect and obedience to the ruler who gives such a command. These three men still spoke to the king with honor and served him both before and after this incident.
Jul 14, 2025, 11:47 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 8-11
Meditation Verse: 10:11
Thought
Daniel is highly esteemed. His book records such words several times. Ezekiel seems to point to him as well, in a set of his prophecies. Yet Daniel, for all his position and wisdom and authority, Daniel does not seem the least bit arrogant. Committed to God, unconcerned for his own life, compassionate and caring of God's people, his friends and even the kings set over him, but not arrogant. Simple and humble and full of wisdom and grace.
Jul 13, 2025, 11:46 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 5:18-20
Thought
The Lord exalted Nebuchadnezzar to be the highest and greatest of kings, even though Nebuchadnezzar knew little or nothing about the Lord. What he knew came from taking over Judah, but how much did he learn about Judah's God? He took over many kingdoms! Surely he didn't study all their religions. He worshiped his own god. Yet the Lord exalted him, and began to reveal Himself to Nebuchadnezzar through Daniel and significant dreams.
Jul 5, 2024, 2:17 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 8-11
Meditation Verses: 9:26-27
Thought
This prophecy came in the first year of Darius, so the command to rebuild the temple hadn't come yet, not to rebuild the city. But both city and sanctuary are mentioned in this prophecy, telling Daniel and all who read it that the city and temple would surely be rebuilt, just as it came to be. But then it sounds like a future ruler of foreigners will come and destroy city and temple, and stop the sacrifices and set up the abomination of desolation.
Jul 4, 2024, 2:19 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 6:20-23
Thought
Daniel had so distinguished himself that Darius had so much respect for him, even caring about him. Darius tried to put off sentencing Daniel, and when he couldn't put it off any longer, he regretfully cast Daniel into the lion's den, saying, "Your God will deliver you." Daniel, for his part, made no defense or argument, apparently at complete peace with what was happening, trusting fully in God's deliverance or ready to depart and be with His Lord.
Jul 3, 2024, 2:20 AM
Passage Read: Ezekiel 48 - Daniel 3
Meditation Verse: Daniel 3:28
Thought
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego weren't trying to be rebellious and agitators, but only trying to be personally faithful to God. They could not worship any god or idol, in obedience to the Lord, to worship Him alone. It was because others pointed them out, dragged them before the king that they became known. When questioned by the king, they freely confessed their reason for refusing to bow to the king's image, and accepted humbly the consequence of their disobedience.
Jun 16, 2023, 6:46 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 8-11
Meditation Verse: 11:35
Thought
God allows hard things to come upon even the faithful servants of God, even on the wise. He allows them to be pressed and tempted and even fall, so that they can be refined, purified and made spotless. The great thing about the truly wise is that they know humility and are willing to repent when they discover their sin, when they recognize they gave way to temptation and chose sin. That is why the Lord loves them, and why there is no need to fear temptation and trial.
Jun 15, 2023, 6:47 AM
Passage Read: Daniel 4-7
Meditation Verses: 5:19-20
Thought
When God makes a man king, that man has complete authority over those entrusted to him. He can either use that authority for good or for evil, for his own selfish ends or for the good of his people. That man will have to give account to Him who gave him that authority, for how he used this God-given authority. Nevertheless, while he reigns, he has complete authority to carry out justice as he sees fit. So obviously, it is best to know the Lord and understand how He wants His authority used.