Daily Scripture Readings
Read along with us in community as we follow this daily scripture outline.
Sunday, September 27th:
Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32; Psalm 25:1-9; Philippians 2:1-13; Matthew 21:23-32
Repentance in the simplest terms is to change one’s mind about something. Sounds easy. Yet repentance isn’t changing what you think about a random topic, but turning from the way we have thought and lived toward God. It is the admission that we are wrong and need to change. It’s hard for us, and it was hard for Israel as well, because like us all, they did not believe that they were in the wrong. We all must face Christ as our judge, not our fellow man, and on that day what attitude will we adopt? Will we find ourselves as those who, in reverence, sought to have the same attitude as Christ, who humbled Himself and became obedient to the Father? Or will we, with puffed up chests and confident proclamations, attempt to defend ourselves from the very word God gave us in the Scriptures? Let us be humble, repent, and be saved through God’s abundant mercy. God, have mercy on us through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Monday, September 28th:
Judges 14; Psalm 28; Philippians 1:3-14
We do not always understand what God is doing in the circumstances of our lives. Samson was driven by his desires and acted foolishly, yet God was at work within the circumstances to begin confronting the Philistines who oppressed Israel. This does not mean God approved Samson’s sin or that Samson acted rightly; rather, God’s providence was not defeated by Samson’s sinful choices. Paul likewise recognizes that his imprisonment, which might appear to be a setback, has actually served to advance the gospel. The psalmist reminds us we can still trust God as our strength and shield even in uncertainty. We may not understand every circumstance, but we can know the character of the God who works through them. Let us trust His providence, repent when we fail, and faithfully proclaim Christ wherever He has placed us. Amen.
Tuesday, September 29th:
Judges 16:1-22; Psalm 28; Philippians 1:15-21
Samson's tragedy is not simply that he sinned sexually or made a foolish decision with Delilah. Deeper than that he continually receives God's vocation while attempting to live according to his own desires. Paul demonstrates the opposite: everything—even imprisonment, suffering, and the possibility of death—is brought under the lordship of Christ. Yet later there is hope in Sampson’s story. The narrative does not end at verse 22. His hair begins to grow again, suggesting that God's purposes for him have not yet reached their conclusion. His restoration later in the chapter shows that God's faithfulness works even beyond human failures. The question for the Christian is not simply, “What gifts has God given me?” but “Whom are those gifts serving?”
Wednesday, September 30th:
Judges 16:23-31; Psalm 28; Matthew 9:2-8
The ultimate problem facing humanity is not merely external oppression like Israel faces from its enemies. Sin itself has to be dealt with. Samson can defeat Philistines, but he cannot overcome the deeper problem of human sinfulness. The paralytic needs more than functioning legs; he needs forgiveness. When Samson turns to God for strength in his weakness, God provides through him to bring deliverance from Israel’s enemies. The psalmist, bridging the story in the Old Testament to the New, recognizes that God Himself is their strength and shield. Christ is the fulfillment of the deliverer pattern found throughout Judges, but He fulfills it in a radically greater way. He does not merely defeat Israel's enemies; He defeats sin and death, restoring humanity to communion with God. In Christ we are truly delivered and have peace with God.
Thursday, October 1st
Jeremiah 2:14-22; Psalm 80:7-15; Colossians 2:16-23
The judgment that came upon God’s people was not random; it came after generations of apostasy and disobedience in their covenant with God. They were punished, yet they sought relief from their oppressors. Even in all their effort they still weren’t relying on God. Paul warns the church not to trust in practices alone since they are a shadow of the reality that was to come, which is found in Christ. It is God’s grace, received in faith, lived out in worshipful obedience that allows us to live a pleasing life to God. Practices and traditions have their proper place when they lead us into communion with Christ, yet they are empty if used as a substitute for Christ. In all our ways, let us strive to acknowledge Christ as Lord and rely on His grace. Amen.
Friday, October 2nd
Jeremiah 2:23-37; Psalm 80:7-15;
Philippians 2:14-18, 3:1-4
Israel could not see its own unfaithfulness, insisting that it had not turned away from God even while pursuing every other source of security. Yet the Lord knew their hearts and called them to account. Paul likewise warns the Church not to place its confidence in the flesh, but to rejoice in Christ and what He has accomplished. Our greatest danger is often not recognizing how easily we can place our confidence in ourselves rather than in God. Paul calls believers to do all things without grumbling or disputing, shining as lights in a dark world while holding firmly to the word of life. May we examine our hearts honestly, reject every false source of confidence, and rejoice in Christ alone, offering our lives to Him as a faithful witness to the world. Amen.
Saturday, October 3rd:
Jeremiah 6:1-10; Psalm 80:7-15; John 7:40-52
The Lord repeatedly called His people to listen, yet they became unwilling to hear His word. Jeremiah describes a people whose ears were closed to God's instruction, while in Jerusalem the people likewise argue over whether Jesus could truly be the Messiah. The tragedy is not that God's word was absent, but that people had become unwilling to receive it. Some recognized something remarkable in Jesus, while others dismissed Him because He did not fit their expectations. Nicodemus reminds the leaders that God's law requires them to hear a person before judging him. May we guard our hearts against becoming so certain of our own understanding that we can no longer hear the voice of God. Give us ears to hear, hearts willing to receive Your truth, and the humility to follow Christ wherever He leads. Amen.