Daily Bible Reading

God’s Guiding Word: Spiritual Renewal Introduction Psalm 80: Today’s psalm is considered a communal lament dating quite possibly back to 722 B.C. following the fall of Samaria (in the northern kingdom of Israel) to the Assyrians (see 2 Kings 17). The psalm expresses a plea to God for the nation’s restoration. Today’s Key Verse: Psalm […]

God’s Guiding Word: Spiritual Renewal Introduction Psalm 50: This psalm utilizes the metaphor of a court case, where God is both plaintiff and judge. God calls upon heaven and earth as witnesses and testifies against his people and rebukes those who violate his laws. God speaks about the purpose of sacrifice and the kind of […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Psalm 34: Today’s reading is a prayer that acknowledges being saved by God and praises God’s goodness and greatness. The writer affirms that God hears the cries of the righteous but opposes those who do evil. All who obey the LORD will lack nothing good. Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 34:8 […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Psalm 16: Today’s psalm expresses total confidence in God. Steady awareness of God’s presence fills the writer with joy. Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 16:5 You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands. Reading 16 Protect me, O God; I trust […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Isaiah 56:1–8: Other nations will become part of God’s people. Israel and its leaders—and the foreigner and the eunuch—are told to be examples to the nations by living according to the LORD’s commands and treating all people with fairness and justice. Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 56:7b [The LORD says:] “My […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Isaiah 54:1–17: Today’s reading describes the LORD’s love for and relationship with Israel and his promise to rebuild Jerusalem. The opening verses affirm that Jerusalem will once again be filled with God’s people, and that their descendants will occupy even more land. Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 54:5b The holy God […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Isaiah 52:1–12: Today’s reading includes a summary of Israel’s history of captivity, comparing their time in Egypt (Genesis 46:1–4; Exodus 1—15) with the capture by Assyria of the northern kingdom of Israel and Babylonia’s capture of the southern kingdom of Judah. Now Jerusalem is called to rise up and celebrate […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Isaiah 51:1–16: Today’s reading lifts up Israel’s ancestors, Abraham and Sarah, who obeyed the LORD when they were told to leave their homeland and go to Canaan (Genesis 12:1–5). Isaiah points to them as an example of obedience. Words of comfort and hope are given, along with the assurance of […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Isaiah 48:1–22: In today’s reading, the people of Israel are accused of failing to act righteously. This is why they were “tested … in the fire of suffering.” Verses 14 and 15 refer to the Persian ruler, Cyrus, who was chosen by God to attack and defeat the Babylonians and […]

God’s Guiding Word: Hope Introduction Isaiah 45:1–13: Today’s reading picks up the theme from Isaiah 44:28 in yesterday’s reading. Cyrus, the Persian ruler, is chosen by God to pave the way for the exiled Israelites to return home. Today’s Key Verse: Isaiah 45:5 [To Cyrus the LORD says:] “I am the LORD; there is no […]