Daily Reading Week 35
Sunday
Luke 15:8-10
DISCOVER
In this week’s message we were challenged to help the one that’s disconnected, reconnect. Take a minute and think through a couple of people in your life who are disconnected. Are you living in a way that leads them to reconnect with Jesus?
What are some practical ways that you can be personal with others who are disconnected?
Take a few minutes when you finish your reading today and spend some intentional time praying over those in your life who are disconnected. Spend time talking to God about your “one” before you spend time talking to your “one” about God.
RESPOND
Jesus continues to challenge religious leaders to see sinners as God does. The Pharisees have watched several times as Jesus interacted with Jews who have lived an ungodly life. They see a man who claims to teach God's truth interacting with people whose lifestyle indicates rejection of those teachings. They think Jesus' engagement is an endorsement of their lifestyle. They don't recognize this is a rescue mission.
Now, Jesus tells a parable referring to those who don't realize they are separated from God. In this parable of the lost coin, Jesus describes a coin that has gone missing or is disconnected. The woman who owns the coin, worth about a day's wages, has nine more, but that doesn't mean she doesn't want to find the one. She scours the house until she finds it. When she does, she invites her friends and family to celebrate with her. The legalistic Pharisees need to rejoice when the lost are found, not question the woman's motives for searching for the coin.
Monday
Psalm 112
DISCOVER
Verse 1 says, "Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in His commands." What does it mean to "fear the Lord" in the context of this Psalm?
In what ways can a life of faith and righteousness impact future generations?
In verse 10, the wicked are contrasted with the righteous. Why do you think this Psalm draws such a stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked?
What changes can we make to be more generous and to trust God more fully in difficult circumstances?
RESPOND
Psalm 112 is a celebration of the blessings that come to those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying His commands. The psalm outlines how righteousness brings prosperity, stability, and lasting legacy to the individual and their family. It highlights the traits of the godly person, such as generosity, compassion, and integrity, and contrasts their life with that of the wicked.
The overall message is that a life lived in reverence to God results in tangible blessings, inner peace, and enduring influence, while the wicked will ultimately face disappointment. The evidence of our obedience towards the Lord is not so that we can have all the tangible blessings but, rather out of a heart/life that respects the Lord and all that He has done for us.
Tuesday
Psalm 113
DISCOVER
The psalmist calls for praise from the rising of the sun to its setting (verse 3). How can we actively remember to praise God throughout the day?
Verses 5-6 show a contrast between God's transcendence (His exaltation) and His immanence (His concern for the lowly). How do these two aspects of God—His greatness and His nearness—shape your understanding of His character?
How does this psalm challenge our approach to worship and praise?
RESPOND
Psalm 113 is a hymn of praise that exalts the Lord’s majesty and His care for the humble. The psalm calls for all of God’s servants to praise His name continually, from morning to night, and throughout the earth. The psalm celebrates God’s sovereignty and His mercy, portraying Him as both highly exalted and deeply involved in the lives of His people, especially those in need.
The psalm opens with “Praise” — a command given to God’s people. Twice more in the opening verse, the command to praise is issued, first naming the subject of the command, “O servants of the Lord,” and then further identifying the object of praise, “the name of the Lord.” The phrase “the name of the LORD” appears again in verses 2 and 3. In verse 2, “the name of the Lord” is being blessed “from this time on and forevermore,” and in verse 3 it is being praised “from the rising of the sun to its setting.”
Interestingly, this psalm ends with the same word with which it begins, praise, forming a frame of praise around the words of the psalm. Psalm 113 is a hymn calling a community of believers to praise a transcendent God who cares enough for humankind to look down, reach down, and raise up the poor and needy of the earth. The answer to the question, “Who is like the Lord our God?” can be nothing more and nothing less than, “No one.”
Wednesday
Psalm 114
DISCOVER
The parting of the Red Sea and the Jordan River are referenced in verses 3 and 5. Why are these miracles important to the psalmist’s reflection on God's power? How do these events continue to serve as reminders of God's faithfulness for both Israel and believers today?
The Psalm speaks of God’s deliverance and His power over creation. How have you experienced God's deliverance in your own life?
Psalm 114 portrays a God who is actively involved in the affairs of His people, commanding nature and providing for them. What areas of life do you need to entrust to God’s sovereign control, recognizing His power to work in impossible situations?
RESPOND
Psalm 114 is known as a hymn of descriptive praise. It is a triumphant celebration of God's power and divine intervention. It reminds us that God's strength is unparalleled and His presence stirs the world. Just as He delivered the Israelites from Egypt, He continues to guide, protect, and provide for those who acknowledge His sovereignty. The psalm invites us to reflect on the miracles in our own lives and to understand that there's no obstacle too great that God cannot move for us.
When reading through this song we learn about God’s deliverance, how nature responds to Him, His sovereignty over creation, and how He graciously and generously provides for His creation. Overall, this psalm celebrates God’s majestic power and His ability to command nature for the sake of His people, underscoring His role as both Creator and Deliverer.
Thursday
Psalm 115
DISCOVER
Verse 1 says, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory.” Why is it important for the psalmist to emphasize giving glory to God rather than seeking it for ourselves? In what practical ways can we live out this attitude of giving glory to God?
How can modern-day "idols" (such as wealth, success, or material things) affect our relationship with God?
How does this psalm challenge you to remove any “idols” in your life that are competing with God for your attention and trust?
What steps can you take to make God the center of your trust, praise, and devotion in a deeper way?
RESPOND
This particular psalm contrasts the true God with lifeless idols, emphasizing the futility of idolatry and the blessings of trusting in the Lord. The psalm encourages Israel to trust in God's faithfulness and praises Him for His steadfast love.
We live in a world today with so many idols that are constantly battling for our allegiance. This hymn reminds us that God is the only one worthy and deserving of our praise. His unfailing love and faithfulness to us has no rival. In addition, earthly idols, lifeless and worthless objects, have proven to be ineffective and futile for centuries and that truth will not change.
Overall, this song emphasizes the superiority of the true God over idols and the blessings that come from trusting in Him. It calls for the people of God to give Him glory and to rely on His protection and provision.
Friday
Psalm 116
DISCOVER
How has God’s responsiveness to your prayers deepened your relationship with Him?
What kinds of situations or emotions does the psalmist describe in verses 2-4, and how do they resonate with your own experiences?
In verse 12, the psalmist asks, “What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me?” What are practical ways we can "repay" the Lord for His goodness, even though we know we can never fully repay Him?
How does this psalm encourage you to trust God more fully in times of distress or uncertainty?
RESPOND
Most commentators/historians accredited King David as the author of this psalm. It is not certain whether David wrote it upon any particular occasion or upon a general review of the many gracious deliveries God brought about in his life. The response that David gives is love, devotion, and gratitude.
Throughout this hymn of personal thanksgiving, David expresses his thankfulness to God over and over. This song reflects God’s goodness and the psalmist's desire to respond to the Lord in a proper and fitting way.
A reading of this hymn leaves the reader with an attitude similar to that of David. These truths immersed in this psalm are not reserved for David and him alone. God is all of his love, faithfulness, and protection, still cares for His children and nothing can change that. As the book of Romans teaches, nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Today, spend some time just praising the Lord and thanking Him for His ongoing goodness, protection, deliverance, and compassion.
Saturday
Psalm 117
DISCOVER
This psalm (verse 2 specifically) gives two reasons for praising God: His great love (steadfast love) and His enduring faithfulness. Why are these two qualities of God emphasized? How have you experienced God’s steadfast love and faithfulness in your own life?
Can you think of a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in a specific way?
Though this is the shortest psalm, its message is powerful. What does the brevity of this psalm teach us about the simplicity yet importance of praise? How can you incorporate short yet meaningful moments of praise into your daily routine?
RESPOND
Psalm 117 is the shortest chapter in the entire Bible, but it delivers a powerful message of universal praise to God. Despite its length, its message is potent and far-reaching. This song calls for everyone to worship the Lord for His steadfast love and faithfulness.
Despite its brevity, it emphasizes the inclusiveness of God's love and His desire for all people to acknowledge His greatness and faithfulness. It celebrates God’s eternal love and the call for the world to praise Him. In addition, this psalm encapsulates the very essence of our relationship with God. It reminds us of His unwavering love and faithfulness, compelling us to respond in genuine praise. In the midst of this song we are encouraged to see beyond our differences, extending the call of worship to all nations and peoples, underscoring the universal nature of God’s grace and