Daily Reading Week 17
Sunday
1 Jeremiah 12:5
Discover:
At one point, the people from Jeremiah's hometown, Anathoth, plotted to kill him. This likely happened during Josiah's reign. Jeremiah supported Josiah in centralizing worship in Jerusalem, which drastically affected the leading citizens of Anathoth. With pilgrims choosing Jerusalem over Anathoth, the city lost tax revenue, and its status diminished. So, it's no surprise that the city opposed Jeremiah.
This plot led Jeremiah to express his lament in today's passage. Like others in Scripture, he wondered why the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. Jeremiah noted that this prosperity was within God's will—He allows the wicked to thrive. Only those who believe in God's complete control and goodness could find this perplexing. If God weren't in full control or wholly good, we could explain the wicked's success as operating outside of God's control or because God isn't entirely good. Jeremiah's lament shows his belief in God's sovereignty and goodness.
God's response wasn't to explain why the wicked succeed but to tell Jeremiah that things would get worse before they got better. Jeremiah was already tired of contending with men on equal footing, but how would he fare when opposition increased and more powerful assaults—the cavalry or "horses"—ensued? If he struggled in a "safe land," it would be harder once his situation worsened and became a "thicket".
Although this might seem like a bleak answer, it also included hope. Jeremiah would see vindication because the people would be disciplined for their sin. Exile was coming, and Jeremiah's words would be proven true. Moreover, Jeremiah, Judah, and the world had further reasons for hope. Judah would be uprooted and expelled from its land, but so would the nations that brought devastation upon Judah for their own sinful purposes. But the Lord would return His people to their land, as well as those nations who trusted in Him and learned His way. The hope of God's salvation is for all nations who turn to Him.
Respond:
1. How do I respond when I see the wicked prosper while I face challenges?
2. In what ways can I strengthen my faith when things seem to be getting worse before they get better?
3. How can I find hope and encouragement in God's promises, even when I don't understand His plans?
Monday
Jeremiah 17: 7-8
Discover:
Jeremiah 17 is part of Jeremiah's warning to Israel about God's judgment through Babylon due to their disobedience. While Jeremiah's words were originally for Israel, the message applies to us today.
Jeremiah contrasts two types of people in verses 5-8: those who trust in man and those who trust in God. He says, “Cursed is the one who trusts in man and blessed is the one who trusts in God.” If we rely on people or ourselves, things won't go well. But if we trust in God, we will be blessed, which is crucial for recovery.
Verses 5-6 describe the bleak outcome of trusting in people: dry, lonely, and lifeless. Those who trust in man are like a bush in the wastelands, unable to see prosperity and dwelling in parched places.
In contrast, verse 8 shows the flourishing life of those who trust in God. They are like a tree planted by water, always green and fruitful, even in drought. Jeremiah uses this beautiful image to illustrate the peace and nourishment found in trusting God.
Jeremiah teaches that trusting in God helps us face pressure and adversity without fear. This is a comforting reminder, especially during tough times of personal struggles. When our trust is rooted in God, we don't need to fear family, financial, romantic, or work pressures. Our leaves remain green.
It's important to remember that trusting God doesn't mean we won't face trials. Jeremiah says "when heat comes," not if. Jesus also told us we will have troubles in this world. But when trials come, would we rather be alone in a lifeless desert or rooted by a flowing stream? Trusting in God means we don't need to be afraid. Our leaves will stay green, and we will bear fruit.
What does it mean to have "green leaves and bear fruit"? It means maintaining peace and joy despite life's challenges. Like Jesus sleeping peacefully during a storm, we can have peace amid life's conflicts when our trust is in God. We can achieve victory in recovery and help others find the same peace by trusting in God.
Respond:
1. Where do I tend to place my trust during difficult times—on people, myself, or God?
2. How do I react when I face pressure or adversity?
3. What steps can I take to deepen my trust in God and experience the flourishing life described by Jeremiah?
Tuesday
Proverbs 3: 5-6
Discover:
Proverbs 3:5 encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts. This isn't just about acknowledging God intellectually but about having a close, personal relationship with Him. Trusting in the Lord means walking with Him, which is the key to gaining true wisdom. God blesses those who walk with Him by granting them wisdom.
On the other hand, relying on our own understanding means walking alone, depending on our skills and knowledge to navigate life. Adam's main mistake was trusting himself to discern right from wrong, leading to his downfall. True wisdom comes from turning to the Lord for understanding, not relying on our plans.
When we trust in God and lean not on our own understanding, He makes our paths straight. Matthew Henry explains that those who follow God's guidance will always benefit from it. Even if the path seems winding and bumpy to us, from God's perspective, it's straight and smooth, leading us exactly where He wants us to be.
Looking back, we often see that the seemingly winding path we took was actually straight and necessary to get us where God wanted us. When we feel lost, we must remember that if we trust in God, He is guiding us on His straight path.
Respond:
1. Do I truly trust in the Lord with all my heart, or do I rely on my own understanding?
2. How can I develop a closer, more personal relationship with God?
3. When I look back on my life, can I see how God has guided me through seemingly winding paths?
Wednesday
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Discover:
In Genesis 1–2, we see a clear shift in how God views His creation. At each stage, He steps back and declares it good, until He creates human beings. After making Adam, God notices something isn't quite right: "It is not good that the man should be alone" (2:18). To fix this, He creates Eve and establishes marriage.
The Genesis story highlights the complementarity of man and woman and the companionship found in marriage. It also underscores the inherent goodness of human community. Even without the lens of Scripture, we recognize the importance of community. We struggle when we're alone for too long, and having friends and family makes life's journey more enjoyable and successful. This truth is echoed in Ecclesiastes 4:9–12.
Using examples from ancient travel, the writer illustrates that "two are better than one". Traveling alone could be dangerous—falling into a pit might mean certain death without a friend to help. Sleeping alone couldn't keep travelers warm on cold nights, so they often slept side by side. This might also refer to the warmth of the marriage bed. Lastly, bandits were a constant threat, and a lone traveler would struggle to fend off an attack, whereas companions could defend each other.
We were created to live in community, making us stronger together than apart. Building community and fellowship helps us grow stronger and more faithful to God. As Matthew Henry says, "Two are better than one, and happier jointly than either of them could be separately, more pleased in one another than they could be in themselves only, mutually serviceable to each other's welfare, and by a united strength more likely to do good to others."
Respond:
1. How do you experience the benefits of community in your daily life?
2. In what ways can you contribute to building a stronger community around you?
3. Reflect on a time when companionship helped you overcome a challenge. How did it make a difference?
Thursday
Ephesians 4:25
Discover:
Living as a true Christian means letting our mind and heart work together in obedience to the Holy Spirit. We need to know what God wants from us to serve Him properly, but knowledge alone isn't enough to lead a life that glorifies Him. Without love for our Creator and His laws, we can't truly forsake all other gods as scripture requires. Whatever we love more than the Lord and His will essentially become our god.
Ephesians 1–3 focuses on the heart aspects of the Christian life. These chapters present important truths we need to know and believe for salvation. They describe the dire situation from which we've been saved and our glorious destiny as a unified and sanctified people. This should fill our hearts with joy. Remembering what our Savior has done for us, we grow in our love for Him and become more eager to do His will. We willingly shed sin and embrace Jesus.
But what does it mean to "put on Jesus" in our daily lives? Paul answers this in Ephesians 4, explaining in practical terms how those who have embraced Christ should live. Verse 25, for example, tells us to “speak the truth with our neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Paul emphasizes the importance of truth-telling, especially within the church. Lying to others, particularly fellow believers, is not an option. Lies weaken the unity of Christ’s body, sowing seeds of division, discord, and distrust.
A tendency to lie shows we're refusing to put on Christ. “All mankind are liars” according to Ps. 116:11 because those who are in Adam hate the truth. They twist facts to advance themselves, tear down others, excuse their failings, and avoid confrontations that could disrupt peace. In Adam, we hide our sins and the sins of others to maintain a false sense of peace. But in Christ — who is truth Himself — truth must be our highest goal.
Martin Luther once said, “Peace if possible, but truth at any rate.” We can't lie about our sins or the sins of others, even if it maintains "peace" between different parties. We should own up to our failings and refuse to overlook sins that lead to division. May we be willing to tell the truth even when it's difficult and hate falsehood even when it's easier to tolerate lies.
Respond:
1. How do you balance knowledge and love in your walk with God?
2. In what ways can you practice truth-telling in your daily interactions?
3. Reflect on a time when embracing truth strengthened your relationships. How did it impact your faith?
Friday
James 5:16
Discover:
James, after admonishing his audience for responding to life's trials with worldly wisdom, encourages them in the final verses of his letter to use their tongues in line with heavenly wisdom. This shows us that we can be assured we possess this merciful wisdom from above when we use our tongues properly.
One great use of the tongue is in prayer. Through the prayer of faith, God grants us heavenly wisdom. Not only does prayer grant us wisdom, but today's passage also shows that it demonstrates such wisdom is already present.
In chapter 3, James says that when we use our tongues to bless and encourage others, we reflect the pure and gentle wisdom from above. In 5:16, James revisits this theme, urging us to confess our sins to others and pray for one another so we might be healed. By encouraging others to stand firm in temptation and praying for them, we bless others and live according to God's wisdom.
James' original audience had much sin, as evident from other parts of his letter. Quarreling and strife rooted in selfishness and coveting led James to call for repentance.
Moreover, while prayer is part of the elder's responsibilities, today's passage makes it clear that the wise use of the tongue in prayer, confession, and encouragement is the work of the entire church. Today's passage calls all of us to pray and tells us that the prayer of righteous people has great power. As we live holy lives, we should expect God to do mighty things with our prayers, just as He did with Elijah's prayers.
Respond:
1. How can you use your words to bless and encourage others in your daily life?
2. In what ways can you incorporate prayer and confession into your spiritual practice?
3. Reflect on a time when your prayers made a significant impact. How did it strengthen your faith?
Saturday
Galatians 6:9
Discover:
The Christian life often begins with eager love for God and our neighbors. But over time, we can grow tired of doing good. The long wait from planting seeds to harvesting can be discouraging, and we might become disheartened with our spiritual progress. In our frustration, we might try to speed up the process by imposing extra rules on ourselves and others, taking pride in our stricter discipleship. Or we might give up and live without any standard of goodness. These tendencies toward legalism and libertinism were present in Galatia, and Paul says the answer to this despair is patience. There is a "due season" — a God-appointed time — when all our efforts in sanctification will be rewarded. This proper time is our Savior’s return, when His holy people will inherit all that has been prepared for them.
Just as seeds must be planted at the right time to ensure a fall harvest, we must sow to the Spirit in the proper season to reap the rewards of holiness. Broadly speaking, the entire period from our conversion to our death is the right time for sowing. More specifically, there will be unique opportunities that God’s providence brings our way to love our neighbors and sow to the Spirit. When circumstances align to create needs that we can meet, we must seize them, for we do not know if we will have another chance to serve our Creator and His people on this earth. Matthew Henry comments, “Whenever God gives us an opportunity of being useful to others, He expects that we should take it, according to our ability.”
Respond:
1. How do you stay motivated to do good even when you feel weary?
2. What unique opportunities has God provided for you to serve others recently?
3. Reflect on a time when patience in your spiritual journey led to a rewarding outcome. How did it strengthen your faith?