Daily Reading Week 31
Sunday
John 5 (Scripture Focus 1-15)
Discover:
For 38 years, the man at Bethesda had been unable to walk. Naturally, he may have thought physical healing was his greatest need. But when Jesus later found him, He urged the man to stop sinning or risk something worse than his former condition, pointing to a deeper, spiritual issue.
Some scholars believe his illness may have been linked to personal sin, though Jesus also teaches that not all sickness is caused by sin. Still, some behaviors do lead to disease, and regardless of the cause, Jesus’ warning makes it clear: physical healing means little without spiritual transformation. Continued sin leads to eternal consequences far worse than any physical ailment. What the man truly needed—and what we all need—is to turn from sin and trust in Christ for salvation.
Interestingly, John’s account doesn’t say whether the man came to faith. He didn’t show much spiritual insight—when questioned about carrying his mat on the Sabbath, he quickly blamed Jesus. Though the Sabbath accusation was misplaced, his response showed a lack of spiritual maturity. As one commentator notes, he wasn’t a hero of faith. Jesus’ call to stop sinning highlights his need for repentance and faith.
God may choose to heal physically, and it’s right to pray for that. But our deepest need is spiritual healing. As we care for others, let’s not forget to point them to faith and repentance—the true path to restoration.
Respond:
1. What areas of your life feel paralyzed or stuck, and how might Jesus be inviting you to
experience healing?
2. How do you respond to Jesus' question, "Do you want to get well?" in your own life?
3. Reflect on a time when you felt seen by God in your struggles. How did that experience
impact you?
Monday
Psalm 139
Discover:
David wasn’t just Israel’s greatest king—he was also one of its most insightful theologians. In Psalm 139, he reflects on two key attributes of God: omniscience (God knows everything) and omnipresence (God is everywhere).
In verses 7–12, David explores God’s omnipresence. He realizes there’s nowhere he can go to escape God—not the heights of heaven, the depths of the earth, or even the farthest sea. God is fully present everywhere, though He may reveal His presence more clearly in some places than others. For example, under the old covenant, God was just as present in Assyria as in the temple, but He made His presence felt more powerfully in Israel’s sanctuary.
Verses 1–6 focus on God’s omniscience. David describes how intimately God knows him—his thoughts, words, and actions, even before they happen. This isn’t just a matter of God knowing more than we do; His knowledge is fundamentally different. As John Calvin warned, we shouldn’t imagine God’s understanding as just a bigger version of ours. Unlike us, God’s knowledge actually shapes reality. When Scripture says God “foreknew” those He would justify, it means He determined it.
While we can know some of the same truths as God—like “2 + 2 = 4”—only God sees how every truth fits into the grand design of creation. That’s something only an infinite being can do. So, as we reflect on God’s greatness, let’s remember: He is not like us. He is infinitely wise, ever-present, and worthy of our awe and trust.
Respond:
1. How does knowing that God is intimately aware of your life change your perspective on your current struggles?
2. In what ways can you invite God into the areas of your life where you feel most vulnerable?
3. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence in your daily life?
tuesday
Matthew 10 (Scripture Focus 29-31)
Discover:
The Apostles’ Creed is one of the oldest and most widely accepted summaries of Christian belief. Though not written by the apostles themselves, it reflects the core teachings they passed down. Early Christians used it as a baptismal confession and a way to guard against false teachings. Each phrase is packed with meaning, and when we recite it thoughtfully, we’re connecting with centuries of Christian faith and doctrine. When we say, “God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth,” we’re affirming more than just a line from a creed—we’re declaring deep truths about who God is and how He relates to us.
For example, calling God our Father means more than just being His children—it reminds us of His deep love and desire to bless us, as Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:7–11 and James affirms in James 1:16–18. Saying He’s the Creator means not only that He made everything from nothing, but also that all creation depends on Him to keep going, as described in Hebrews 1:1–4. As the Heidelberg Catechism explains, everything remains under His sovereign care.
That includes even the smallest details. Jesus said not even a sparrow falls without God’s will. If He cares that much for birds, how much more does He care for us, His image-bearers?
The phrase “God is in the details” is true in the deepest sense. From Joseph’s journey to Egypt, to David’s sling, to the crucifixion of Jesus, nothing happens outside of God’s plan.
Because God rules over every detail, everything we do matters. That doesn’t mean we need to obsess over every moment, but it does mean we should live thoughtfully and not waste the time He’s given us.
Respond:
1. How does understanding your worth in God's eyes affect your self-image and confidence?
2. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's care and provision in your daily life?
3. How can you trust God more deeply with the details of your life?
Wednesday
Hebrews 10 (Scripture Focus 35-36)
Discover:
The book of Hebrews was written to a group of Jewish Christians who were enduring intense persecution. The author doesn’t soften the reality—they faced real suffering, not just metaphorical hardship. For them, and for many believers around the world today, these words carry the weight of lived pain.
In Hebrews 10:32–34, the writer recalls their “hard struggle with sufferings,” being “publicly exposed to reproach and affliction,” and even having their property taken. Yet, their response was remarkable: they endured with compassion and joy. Still, the toll was real. Weariness crept in, and questions began to surface: “Is it worth it?” “Where is God in all this?”
Like a coach urging runners to finish strong, the message is clear: “You have need of endurance”. Endurance is a mark of true faith—faith that trusts God will keep His promises, even when life is hard. Hebrews 11 follows with stories of people who endured by “seeing him who is invisible”, holding on to God’s promises through flood, fire, and collapse.
The examples in Hebrews 11—from Abraham to Rahab—aren’t there to showcase human greatness, but to highlight God’s grace. They all point to Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2), whose endurance on the cross secured our salvation and proved that God’s promises are trustworthy.
So take heart. We do need endurance—but we’re not alone. Jesus is with us. As Charles Spurgeon once said, “As for His failing you, never dream of it—hate the thought of it. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end.”
Respond:
1. What challenges are currently testing your perseverance, and how can you remain steadfast in your faith?
2. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness. How does that memory
encourage you today?
3. How can you encourage others to hold onto their confidence in God during difficult times?
THursday
Mark 4 (Scripture Focus 35-41)
Discover
Mark 4 records one of the most memorable moments in Jesus’ ministry—His calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee.
Mark includes small but vivid details that suggest this account came from someone who was actually there. He mentions other boats being present and even notes that Jesus was “in the stern, asleep on the cushion”. These aren’t necessary to understand the story, but they add authenticity—likely reflecting Peter’s firsthand memory, which Mark relied on.
The disciples’ fear tells us just how intense the storm was. Remember, at least four of them—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—were seasoned fishermen familiar with the Sea of Galilee’s sudden storms. Yet even they were terrified as waves crashed over the boat and it began to fill with water. This wasn’t just a rough patch of weather—it felt like a life-threatening crisis.
Despite all they had seen Jesus do, the disciples still doubted His care for them. In verse 38, they question whether He even cares that they’re about to die. Jesus responds in verse 40 by gently rebuking their lack of faith. It’s a reminder that even those closest to Him struggled to trust fully—and so do we. But instead of judgment, we’re invited to keep seeking Him and growing in faith.
The good news is this: it’s not the strength of our faith that saves us, but the One we put our faith in. Like the disciples, we sometimes doubt God’s care. But our hope rests not in how strong our trust is, but in the power of our Savior. Let’s hold on to that truth as we ask Him to deepen our faith and remind us that He is always with us—even in the storm.
Respond:
1. What storms are you currently facing in your life, and how can you invite Jesus to bring
peace and calm to them?
2. How does Jesus' authority over the storm impact your understanding of His power and
presence in your life?
3. In what ways can you strengthen your faith and trust in Jesus, especially when you feel
overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty?
Friday
Luke 19:1-10
Discover
Martin Luther, a key voice of the Reformation, boldly declared that the church must be profane—not in the sense of irreverence, but in its Latin root meaning pro-fanus, “outside the temple.” His point was clear: if Christ isn’t relevant beyond the church walls, He’s irrelevant within them. A faith confined to the sanctuary is, at best, disobedient—and at worst, not faith at all.
The Pharisees believed holiness came through separation. They avoided sinners, thinking that purity meant distance. But Jesus shattered that model. He spoke with Samaritans, dined with tax collectors, touched lepers, and ministered to prostitutes. He was called a glutton and a drunkard—not because He was either, but because He went where broken people were.
If guilt by association were a sin, Jesus would have failed His mission from the start. But He came to seek and save the lost—and He found them not in the temple, but in the world His Father created.
Respond:
1. How does Zacchaeus' story challenge your understanding of who is worthy of God's grace and transformation?
2. In what ways can you seek Jesus more intentionally, knowing that He sees and values you?
3. How can you extend grace and acceptance to those who are often overlooked or
marginalized?
Saturday
Psalm 91
Discover:
Psalm 91 is one of the most comforting passages in all of Scripture. It describes God’s protection of those He loves—of refuge under His wings, of safety from deadly threats, of angels guarding our steps. But how should we understand these promises, especially when life doesn’t always feel safe?
First, it’s important to remember that Psalm 91 is poetry. Like much of the Wisdom Literature in the Bible, it speaks in images and general truths rather than rigid guarantees. Just as Proverbs offers seemingly contradictory advice—“Don’t answer a fool…” followed by “Answer a fool…”—the Psalms often express the heart of faith in poetic, not prescriptive, terms.
Psalm 91 assures us of God’s providential care. It reminds us that we live under the watchful eye of the Almighty, and that His protection is real. But this doesn’t mean believers are immune to suffering. Scripture is full of faithful people who endured hardship—Stephen was martyred, Paul was beaten and imprisoned, and even Jesus suffered and died. These realities don’t contradict Psalm 91; they deepen its meaning.
The promises in this psalm are not a divine insurance policy against all harm. Rather, they are a call to trust in God’s overarching care, even when life is hard. They remind us that nothing touches us apart from His sovereign will, and that even in suffering, we are never abandoned.
To live under the shadow of the Almighty is to live with confidence, not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of God. His protection may not always look like deliverance from danger—it may look like peace in the storm, strength in weakness, or hope in the face of loss.
Respond:
1. How does Psalm 91 encourage you to trust in God's protection and care in your current circumstances?
2. What steps can you take to dwell more fully in God's presence and find refuge in Him?
3. How can you share the message of God's protection and faithfulness with others who may be struggling?