Today's Reading: Proverbs 8:1-36Throughout the book of Proverbs, we see that wisdom is "personified". This is a literary device that the author uses to make wisdom a little more tangible. Although we don't see it in this chapter, "Lady Wisdom" is often contrasted with "Lady Folly" as a way to contrast the two ways of life we read about yesterday.In this chapter we see the benefits of living accord...  Read More

Today's Reading: Proverbs 2:1-22Beginning in verse 16, we are introduced to the forbidden (or strange) woman who is an adulteress (or foreign woman). While there is certainly a warning here against sexual immorality, in the book of Proverbs the adulteress is a picture of any kind of sin in which we indulge the desires of our flesh.This chapter is a lot like Psalm 1. We are told that there are two ...  Read More

Today's Reading: Proverbs 1:1-33From the Faithlife Study Bible:"Proverbs consists of many wise sayings, compiled into a book. These sayings offer practical advice for daily life and vary widely in their content—ranging from work and money to speech, integrity, and discipline. But the wisdom in Proverbs is not just about practical advice; Proverbs reminds us that true wisdom derives from the fear o...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 118:1-29This is clearly another Messianic Psalm. Jesus quotes from verse 22 when He is telling the Jews that since they have rejected Him, His kingdom is going to be taken away from them and given to the Gentiles who will willingly receive it. Peter also quotes that verse in Acts 4 when speaking to the Jewish religious leaders. Peter also quotes from that verse in 1 Peter 2....  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 72:1-20This psalm is understood by most scholars to be a coronation hymn for the King of Judah.  It speaks of the prayers of all of the people for the king and the importance of understanding the king’s role in relationship to his God and the people. Unfortunately, from late in the reign of King Solomon forward, Israel's kings did not reign in accordance with what is asked f...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 51:1-19David wrote this powerful Psalm after Nathan confronted him about his sin with Bathsheba. As king, David certainly had the ability to continue to cover up that sin. He could have gotten rid of Nathan. But here is where David demonstrates that he is a "man after God's heart".When confronted with his sin, he acknowledges his sin to God. That is what confessing our sin m...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 22:1-31We don't know exactly when David wrote this Psalm. We do know that he faced danger and opposition both before and during his reign as king. David turns to God in prayer during that time and by the end of the psalm, he ends with a song of praise to God for rescuing him.This Psalm is also a Messianic Psalm that points ahead to Jesus. In fact , Jesus quotes from verse 1 ...  Read More

Today's Reading: Psalm 1:1-6Today, we embark on a new section of our reading plan. This section is titled "Religious Life of the Nation" and we're going to focus on what is commonly known as "wisdom literature". Many of the Psalms, the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon were written during the early monarchy, under the reigns of David and Solomon..Psalm 1 was most likely written as...  Read More

Today's Reading: Revelation 7:1-17Here we are given a glimpse into the throne room of God. And Jesus, the Lamb of God, is enthroned along with God the Father. A great multitude of those who have put their faith in Jesus are before the throne, praising both God the Father and the Lamb for the salvation that belongs to them that they have given to that multitude. This is a great reminder that our sa...  Read More

Today's Reading: Hebrews 12:1-29The author of Hebrews reveals that right now Jesus is seated on a throne at the right hand of God. Later in the chapter, we are reminded that His kingdom, even though we can't see it right now, is unshakable. That is certainly a huge contrast to what we see around us in this world, where things are constantly being shaken.The unshakable nature of Jesus' kingdom shou...  Read More

Today's Reading: Philippians 2:1-30Paul reminds us that our lives are to be characterized by the same kind of humility that Jesus demonstrated by leaving the glory of heaven to come to earth to die on a cross for our sins. Because He was willing to humble Himself like that, God exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name.As we have discussed frequently, Jesus does currently rule ove...  Read More

Today's Reading: Romans 1:1-32This is undoubtedly one of the most important chapters in the entire Bible. It helps us to understand why we see so much evil in this world. But for this section of our reading plan, we're going to focus on the opening verses.Here Paul clearly proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God who is from the line of David (v. 3). Paul also reveals that it is the resurrection of ...  Read More