Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

Confirmed Confidence Sometime around 550 B.C., Daniel received perhaps the most important prophecy ever given to man. It's recorded for us in Daniel Chapter nine, and its details include God's prophetic timeline for Israel and the precise timing of the Messiah's arrival. It also gives great insight into the coming of the anti-Christ in the last days. Amidst all this, there's also an important prophecy that points to the cross. As the ministry of the Messiah (or Christ) is being described, Daniel was told that He "shall be cut off, but not for Himself." The expression for "cut off" in Daniel's day was a clear reference to execution. The fact that this wouldn't happen for Himself but for the sake of others makes it a clear reference to the crucifixion, which would occur over 500 years later. Here's the point behind this history lesson; the cross fulfilled the prophetic word. Prophecy is one of the most important components of the Bible, because it proves God's inspiration and influence beyond any doubt. No human could ever predict the proclamations found in biblical prophecy...only God could. And each time we see something that fulfills prophecy, it serves to strengthen our faith in the fact that the Bible isn't something put together by man, but by God Himself. The cross falls into this category because it was on the cross that Messiah was "cut off" for the sake of others, fulfilling the prophetic word God gave to Daniel. Consequently, when we consider the cross, we can be all the more confirmed in our confidence that the Bible is God's Word. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts...(2 Peter 1:19 NKJV) Each time we see something that fulfills prophecy, it serves to strengthen our faith in the fact that the Bible isn't something put together by man, but by God Himself. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?