Daily Bible Reading

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Nehemiah 8:1–18: The books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. The book of Nehemiah was written to continue the history of the Israelites after their return to Jerusalem from Babylonia, the beginning of which is recorded in the book of Ezra (see Ezra 8:1–36). Nehemiah, a Jew, was […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Habakkuk 3:1–19: Habakkuk’s prayer in this concluding chapter begins with a request for the LORD to be merciful to the people of Judah. His prayer then continues with a description of God’s presence and power in the world. Habakkuk is overwhelmed by God’s awesome power. He is filled with confidence […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Habakkuk 2:1–20: The LORD offers Habakkuk a vision of justice, saying that the Babylonians will be punished in the way they have treated others. This vision is borne out by history: the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem in 586 B.C. and stole the treasures of Israel’s temple. Yet by 539 B.C., the […]

God’s Guiding Word: Prayer Introduction Habakkuk 1:1–17: The words of the prophet Habakkuk come from near the end of the seventh century B.C. at a time when the Babylonians were in power. Habakkuk was deeply disturbed by the violence and injustice in the land of Judah, and today’s reading records a prayer-filled conversation between the […]

God’s Guiding Word: Love Introduction John 13:1–35: Today’s reading is set within the context of Jesus’s farewell meal with his disciples prior to his arrest and trial. In ancient Jewish society, it was the duty of the servant to wash the master’s feet. Here we read of Jesus taking on the role of a servant […]

God’s Guiding Word: Love Introduction John 11:28–44: Today’s reading concludes the story of the death and raising of Lazarus. Jesus weeps when he arrives at the tomb. After praying to the Father, Jesus calls Lazarus out of the tomb and instructs the onlookers to remove Lazarus’s burial cloths. Scripture Reading 28 After Martha said this, she […]

God’s Guiding Word: Love Introduction John 11:1–27: Today we will read the first part of the account of the death and raising of Lazarus. Jesus receives word that his friend Lazarus is ill, but he delays making the trip to Bethany to see him. The conclusion of the story will provide an occasion for Jesus […]

God’s Guiding Word: Love Introduction John 10:22–42: Jesus continues to describe his relationship with his followers. Some of the people ask if he is the Messiah, and Jesus responds by declaring that the deeds he does by his Father’s authority speak on his behalf. Some of the people attempt to stone him, whereas many others […]

God’s Guiding Word: Love Introduction John 10:1–21: Jesus uses the images of shepherd, gate, and sheep to describe the relationship between himself and his followers. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice and follow him. Unlike a thief who comes only to steal or destroy, and unlike a hired worker who fails to protect the sheep, […]

God’s Guiding Word: Love Introduction John 9:13–41: Today’s reading begins by introducing a controversy over violation of the Sabbath law. The Pharisees and the Jewish authorities question both the healed man and his parents, and they expel the healed man from the synagogue. According to verse 22, the Jewish authorities threatened to expel anyone who […]