Daily Reading Week 23
Sunday
Nehemiah 4
Discover:
Nehemiah’s deep trust in God gave the people of Jerusalem the courage they needed to begin rebuilding the city wall, even when they first faced opposition from outsiders. As often happens with big projects, things didn’t stay smooth for long. In today’s passage, we see that the same critics who had spoken out against the work earlier returned—this time, because they saw real progress being made.
The opposition was more intense now. Sanballat from Samaria even brought his army along, clearly trying to intimidate the Jews into stopping. Tobiah the Ammonite joined in the mockery, sarcastically claiming that even a fox could knock down their wall. At first, the people kept working, but over time, the constant threats began to wear on them, and fear started to take hold. They were surrounded on all sides: Samaritans to the north, Ammonites to the east, Arabs to the south, and Ashdodites to the west. From a human point of view, the situation looked pretty dire.
But Nehemiah didn’t panic. He responded with a powerful mix of prayer and practical action. He told the workers to arm themselves and set up guards for protection. But they didn’t rely on their defenses alone—they also prayed, asking for God’s help. Nehemiah reminded the people that God was with them and encouraged them to fear the Lord, not their enemies.
Nehemiah made smart plans, but his confidence wasn’t in those plans or in human strength—it was in God. He understood the truth of Proverbs 21:31: “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.” No matter how well we prepare, success ultimately comes from Him.
That’s a lesson we can take to heart today. Planning wisely is important, but it’s easy to start relying on our own abilities instead of trusting God. As we move forward in our own challenges, let’s keep our eyes on Him—because only He can bring true success.
Respond:
1. How do you typically respond to opposition or criticism in your life?
2. What are some "weapons" you can use to stay focused on your goals?
3. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for the challenges you face
Monday
Nehemiah 5 (scripture Focus Nehemiah 5:1-6)
Discover:
After Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem and got the wall reconstruction underway, things started off strong. The people made great progress, even though they faced opposition from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah. Thanks to Nehemiah’s leadership, the workers were organized and protected—they were even armed so they could defend themselves while continuing the work.
But as anyone who’s dealt with ongoing challenges knows, constant pressure can wear you down. In today’s passage, we see that the people eventually hit a breaking point—not because of enemy threats this time, but because of financial hardship. A famine had made food scarce, and many families were struggling. Some had mortgaged their land just to survive.
To make matters worse, not everyone was struggling equally. Some people were hoarding grain and taking advantage of the situation to enrich themselves. Sadly, this kind of behavior isn’t just a thing of the past. Even today, many people hesitate to give to the church—not because they truly can’t, but because they’re reluctant to adjust their lifestyle. Sometimes, when we say we “can’t afford” to give, what we really mean is that we don’t want to give up certain comforts for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Of course, there are also real situations where people genuinely don’t have the means—due to job loss, low wages, or other hardships. And exploitation can make things worse. That’s what was happening in Nehemiah’s time. When the people brought their complaints to him, he didn’t ignore them. He called out the nobles and leaders for charging outrageous interest rates on loans—something that went directly against God’s law.
Nehemiah knew that true spiritual renewal meant more than just rebuilding walls—it meant returning to God’s Word and living it out. He helped the people see that real reformation required obedience, even in the areas they might have preferred to overlook.
Respond:
1. Are there any internal conflicts or injustices in your life that need addressing?
2. How can you ensure that your pursuit of goals does not harm others?
3. What steps can you take to promote fairness and integrity in your community?
Tuesday
Nehemiah 6 (Scripture Nememiah 6:9)
Discover:
If the level of opposition is any indication of how important a project is, then Nehemiah’s work rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls was clearly a big deal. Even after earlier attempts to stop the work had failed—thanks to Nehemiah’s trust in God and his smart leadership —the enemies of Israel weren’t ready to give up. In Nehemiah 6, we see them make yet another attempt to derail the project.
At this point, the wall was nearly finished—only the gates still needed doors. That’s when Sanballat and the others tried a new tactic. They invited Nehemiah to meet them in the plain of Ono, a day’s journey from Jerusalem. Their plan was to lure him away from the city and likely kill him. Nehemiah saw right through it and refused to go.
Not giving up, Sanballat sent another message—this time with a more subtle threat. He claimed that rumors were spreading that Nehemiah was planning a rebellion and wanted to crown himself king. He suggested they meet to “clear things up” before word reached the Persian emperor. Again, Nehemiah wasn’t fooled. He called out the lie and stayed focused on the work.
Then came a more spiritual-sounding trap. A man named Shemaiah, along with other false prophets, tried to convince Nehemiah to hide in the temple for safety, claiming his life was in danger. But Nehemiah knew better—he wasn’t a priest, and entering the temple would have been a sin. The real goal was to ruin his reputation and stop the work. Once again, Nehemiah stood firm.
In the end, the wall was completed, the city was more secure, and the surrounding nations took notice. They realized that something powerful was happening in Jerusalem—and it made them afraid.
Respond:
1. How do you handle fear and intimidation in your life?
2. In what ways can prayer strengthen your resolve in difficult situations?
3. How can you maintain focus on God amidst distractions?
Wednesday
Philippians 3 (SCRIPTURE focus Philippians 3:12-14)
Discover:
When Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians, he didn’t know exactly how he would reach the moment of resurrection—whether through martyrdom, natural death, or being alive when Christ returned. But one thing he did know was that he was ready for any path the Lord chose. Paul had full confidence that he would share in the final glorification of God’s people, not because of anything he had done, but because he had placed all his trust in Jesus—the only one who can make sinners right with God.
Sometimes people misunderstand Paul’s teaching about being justified by faith alone. They think it means we can just sit back and do nothing once we believe. But that’s not what Paul taught or modeled. Yes, he made it clear that nothing can separate us from God’s love, and that those who truly have faith will persevere to the end. But he also emphasized that perseverance is active. In Philippians 2:12–13 We’re called to “work out our salvation with fear and trembling,” even though it’s ultimately God working in us.
In Philippians 3:12–14, Paul picks up this theme again. He admits he hasn’t yet reached the finish line, but he’s pressing on—running the race with everything he’s got until the day he’s fully united with Christ. He’s confident that God will finish the good work He started in him, and that confidence fuels his desire to know Jesus more deeply and to stay alert to the Spirit’s work in his life. Through Scripture, the Spirit convicts, corrects, and encourages us to keep going.
The early church preacher John Chrysostom once described this kind of pursuit. He said the pursuer “sees nothing, he thrusts away all who impede him with great force, he cherishes his mind, his eye, his strength, his soul and his body, looking at nothing other than the crown”. That’s the kind of focus we’re called to have in our walk with Christ: eyes on the crown, hearts set on finishing well.
Respond:
1. What are some past failures or distractions you need to leave behind?
2. How can you press on toward your spiritual and personal goals?
3. What does "straining toward what is ahead" look like in your life?
Thursday
Hebrews 12 (SCRIPTURE focus Hebrews 12:1-3)
Discover:
The heroes of faith in the Old Testament accomplished amazing things, received great blessings, and even gave up their lives rather than walk away from their trust in God. They did all of this while looking forward to something they never got to see in their lifetime—the coming of Christ. Their lives remind us just how blessed we are to live in a time when Jesus has already come—not just as a promise, but in reality.
If they could hold on to their faith without ever seeing Jesus, how much more can we trust Him now that we know who He is and what He’s done? These faithful saints are like a cheering crowd in a stadium, encouraging us to keep going. They remind us that we live in a better time—the time when God’s promises are being fulfilled.
Still, in many ways, our journey is similar to theirs. We’re also running a race that requires endurance. We, too, have to let go of the sins and distractions that slow us down so we can reach the finish line.
And how do we do that? By keeping our eyes on Jesus—the one who started our faith and the one who will bring it to completion. If we take our eyes off Him, we’ll lose our way. But if we stay focused on Him, we’ll find the strength to keep going.
This might sound like our salvation depends on our own effort, but that’s not what the author of Hebrews is saying. If Jesus is the one who begins and perfects our faith, then those who truly believe in Him are secure. We won’t be lost.
At the same time, the way we show that our faith is real is by continuing to trust Jesus, especially when life gets hard. He’s our perfect example—He endured the suffering of the cross because He knew the joy that was coming. Now He’s seated at God’s right hand. If we call Him Lord, we’re called to follow His example of obedience, even when it’s tough.
But Jesus isn’t just our example—He’s also the one we trust in. As John Owen once said, Jesus is the one “in whom we place our faith, trust, and confidence, with all our expectation of success in our Christian course.” Without that trust in Him, even His example won’t help us.
Respond:
1. What are the "weights" or sins that are hindering your progress?
2. How can you fix your eyes more firmly on Jesus in your daily life?
3. What does running your race with endurance mean to you?
Friday
Psalm 46
Discover:
One of the hardest things for Christians is holding on to faith when life seems to contradict God’s promises. We know God has promised to strengthen and deliver His people—but sometimes, it feels like we’re barely hanging on, and His help seems far away. The Israelites felt this way more than once. But even in those moments, the faithful clung to God’s promises, trusting that He was still in control.
The English Puritan Thomas Watson put it beautifully: “God promised David to give him the crown, to make him king; but providence turned contrary to His promise.” David was hunted by Saul and feared for his life. But even then, Watson reminds us, “it was David’s duty to trust God.” Sometimes, God uses what looks like a detour—or even a setback—to bring about exactly what He promised.
Psalm 46 captures this kind of trust. It reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” The psalm encourages us to remember that God is in control, even when everything around us feels chaotic. He tells us to “be still” and know that He is God. That stillness isn’t about doing nothing—it’s about resting in the confidence that God is working, even when we can’t see how.
Unlike the powerless idols of other nations, the God of Israel is alive and active. He has the power to accomplish His will. As John Calvin once wrote, “The faithful have no reason to be afraid, since God is always ready to deliver them … and is also armed with invincible power.” Even when it feels like the world is falling apart, we can remain calm and trust that God is still holding everything together.
Respond:
1. How do you experience God's presence in times of trouble?
2. What does it mean to "be still and know" that He is God?
3. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's strength and refuge?
Saturday
Ephesians 6 (Scripture Focus Ephesians 6:10-18)
Discover:
After explaining how the gospel affects various relationships, in today’s passage Paul gives advice for all believers, no matter their situation. His teaching on God’s armor isn't a new topic but builds on his outline of the gospel’s consequences. The word "finally" in verse 10 shows that this section is the climax of everything he has said.
Ephesians is a summary of Christian doctrine, but theological knowledge isn't just for satisfying our curiosity. Paul didn't tell us about the gospel and the church’s purpose in chapters 1-3 so we could relax. Instead, he taught us these things so we might obey God’s will through the Spirit’s power, participating in the kingdom’s expansion.
However, if we don't know our enemy and how to defeat him, our efforts to live out the gospel are in vain. Scripture lists our main enemies as the world, the flesh, and the Devil, all of whom are formidable. Ultimately, fighting any of these is fighting the Enemy himself. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12). Standing against the world means standing against the Evil One, the ruler of this fallen world. Fighting our sinful nature means battling the one who introduced sin into creation. And, of course, warring against the Devil means fighting Satan directly.
John Calvin wisely noted, “There will be no danger which may not be successfully met by the power of God; nor will any who, with [the armor of God], fight against Satan, fail in the day of battle.” Every day, we should remember our identity in Christ, embracing His graces and letting go of our rebellious impulses inherited from Adam. By doing this, we are assured of success in our spiritual battles and can look forward to a hero’s welcome in glory.
Respond:
1. How can you put on the full armor of God in your daily life?
2. What spiritual battles are you currently facing, and how can you stand firm?
3. How does understanding spiritual warfare change your perspective on challenges?