Daily Reading Week 40
Sunday
Daniel 4 (Scripture Focus 34–37)
Discover:
Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty king of Babylon, faced a stinging humiliation when Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah refused to bow to his gods. As the ruler of a vast empire, stretching from Egypt to Iran, he had every reason to be proud—his city boasted the stunning Hanging Gardens, a Wonder of the Ancient World! Yet, these three men from a conquered people defied him, sparking his fury.
The book of Daniel shows that Babylon’s proud king wasn’t the true power in charge. In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar’s dream stumped his wise men, but Daniel, a Jewish prophet, revealed its meaning: God would humble the king, reducing him to a beast-like state. This was a lesson in divine sovereignty—Yahweh, the God of Israel, has no rivals. Nebuchadnezzar’s success came from God’s providence, not his own might. Only through a dramatic humbling did he learn his true place. God’s message hasn’t changed: He humbles the proud and lifts up the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6–7). Let’s stay humble before Him to receive His eternal blessings. Scripture consistently praises humility and warns against pride. May we never overestimate ourselves, but trust in God’s sovereignty to guide and bless us.
Respond:
1. What does Nebuchadnezzar’s story teach us about pride and humility?
2. When have you experienced a “wake-up call” that humbled you?
3. Where do you need to give God glory instead of taking the credit?
4. How can you practice humility in your relationships this week?
Monday
Proverbs 11 (Scripture Focus verse 2)
Discover:
Proverbs 11:2 offers a timeless truth: pride leads to downfall, while humility opens the door to wisdom. Pride builds a fragile tower of self-reliance, where we place ourselves above others and, sometimes, above God. It blinds us to our limitations, making us dismissive of advice or correction. Like a person walking with eyes closed, pride causes us to stumble—whether through reckless decisions, fractured relationships, or missed opportunities. The disgrace that follows isn’t just public embarrassment; it’s the humbling realization that we’re not as self-sufficient as we thought. Pride sets us up for a fall because it disconnects us from the truth about ourselves and our need for God’s guidance.
Respond:
1. Why does pride so often lead to embarrassment or downfall?
2. How does humility prepare you to receive wisdom?
3. Where can you invite wise counsel into your life right now?
tuesday
Proverbs 12:1 & 15:31–32
Discover:
The wisdom of Proverbs reminds us that correction, though often uncomfortable, is a pathway to growth and understanding. These verses challenge us to embrace discipline and feedback as gifts that lead to wisdom.
Consider your instinctive reaction when someone offers correction—whether it’s a gentle suggestion or a pointed critique. Do you feel defensive, brushing it off to protect your pride? Or do you pause to listen, seeking to understand? Proverbs 12:1 is blunt: rejecting correction is foolish, while embracing it shows a love for knowledge. Our response to correction reveals our heart’s posture—whether we’re open to growth or clinging to self-reliance. Reflect honestly on a recent moment when you received feedback. Did you welcome it, or did resistance rise within you?
Accepting correction can sting because it exposes our imperfections. Pride often whispers that we know best, making us resistant to others’ insights. Fear of failure or judgment can also make feedback feel like an attack rather than a gift. Proverbs 15:31-32 warns that disregarding correction harms us, while accepting it brings understanding. Our struggle often stems from a desire to appear competent or in control, but this mindset blocks the growth God intends. Humility, not defensiveness, allows us to receive the “life-giving correction” that leads to wisdom.
Respond:
1. How do you usually respond when corrected?
2. Why is it difficult to accept advice or feedback?
3. What step can you take to receive correction with humility this week?
Wednesday
Philippians 2 (Scripture Focus 3–4)
Discover:
Because of our human nature, building unity with others can be tough, even in the church. Sin’s power is broken, but its presence lingers, tempting us to act selfishly. Thankfully, Paul offers guidance in Philippians 2:1–4, urging us to avoid rivalry and pride, and to embrace humility.
This means humbly putting others’ needs before our own. It’s not about thinking less of ourselves or ignoring our gifts—Paul says in Romans 12 to view ourselves honestly —but about focusing on others’ needs first. In Christ’s body, greatness comes through serving. We don’t ignore our own needs, but our focus is outward, meeting others’ needs even when it means setting aside our own desires.
As Matthew Henry notes, we serve others best when we’re tough on our own faults and generous in how we view others. Assuming the best of our church family makes it easier to put them first, while assuming the worst makes serving them nearly impossible.
Respond:
1. What does it mean to consider others “better than yourself”?
2. How can you share credit with others in your work or home life?
3. What is one way you can humbly serve someone this week?
THursday
Romans 12 (Scripture Focus verse 10)
Discover:
Love is the greatest Christian virtue according to 1 Cor. 13:13, but not everything labeled "love" aligns with God’s definition. True, holy love, as described in Romans 12:9–21, rejects evil and embraces what is good—things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy.
This love starts in the church, where we’re called to love fellow believers like family, with deep, brotherly affection. Christians are our truest kin, even beyond biological family who don’t share our faith. This love shows up in humbly honoring others, eagerly celebrating their achievements without puffing ourselves up.
Godly love also fuels our service to God. Romans 12:11 urges us not to grow lazy in our zeal but to stay fervent in spirit, relying on the Holy Spirit to sustain our passion for God’s work. This isn’t about fleeting excitement or unchecked emotion—it’s a steady, Spirit-led commitment to serve God according to His Word.
True zeal for God submits to His Word. The Holy Spirit works through Scripture, not apart from it. Any passion that ignores God’s revelation isn’t godly zeal. Let’s keep returning to His Word to guide our love and service.
Respond:
1. Who in your life needs encouragement right now?
2. How can you celebrate someone else’s success this week?
3. What would change in your relationships if you made honoring others a habit?
Friday
John 15 (Scripture Focus vErse 5)
Discover:
We’re justified—declared righteous before God—not by our works, but solely through the perfect righteousness of Christ, credited to us by faith alone. This doesn’t mean we’re sinless; as Martin Luther put it, we’re both righteous and sinners at the same time. Covered by Christ’s righteousness, we’re still prone to sin, but justified nonetheless.
While good works don’t earn our justification, they’re not optional. Believers are “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Eph. 2:10), and those united with Christ won’t live in unrepentant sin (Rom. 6). Good works are the fruit of our justification, not the root.
Some fear that justification by faith alone encourages careless sinning. The Heidelberg Catechism (Q&A 64) counters this, pointing out that those truly united to Christ, like branches to a vine, naturally bear fruit. Just as branches must be connected to the vine before producing grapes, we’re united to Christ by faith before good works flow.
John Calvin notes that apart from Christ, we’re like dry, useless wood. United to Him by faith, we become fruitful. Justification by faith alone frees us to serve boldly, knowing our place in heaven is secure and Christ advocates for us when we stumble.
Respond:
1. Why is it tempting to think we succeed on our own?
2. How does this verse challenge your sense of independence?
3. What area of your life do you most need to surrender to God’s power?
Saturday
James 4 (Scripture Focus Verse 6)
Discover:
King Hezekiah of Judah was a faithful ruler of Judah who destroyed pagan worship sites and restored devotion to God’s Law (2 Kings 18:4–5; 2 Chron. 29–31). Yet, he faced constant threats from Assyria, which had already exiled the northern kingdom of Israel and forced Judah to pay tribute. When Assyria’s king, Sennacherib, attacked Jerusalem, God miraculously intervened, fulfilling His promise to protect His people (2 Kings 18–19).
Despite this, when Hezekiah fell ill, God promised healing and victory over Assyria (2 Kings 20:1–11). But instead of trusting God alone, Hezekiah sought an alliance with powerful Babylon, showing off Judah’s treasures to secure their protection (vv. 12–21). This reliance on worldly wisdom led to God’s warning of Judah’s future exile to Babylon.
Hezekiah’s story, echoed by the apostle James in our passage today reminds us that trusting in worldly wisdom makes us enemies of God. It’s easy to compromise God’s principles for security or status, but this path deceives us. Thankfully, there’s hope. When we humble ourselves and repent, God offers grace to overcome worldly thinking.
Respond:
1. What does it mean that God “opposes” the proud?
2. Where have you seen humility open the door to God’s grace?
3. How can you choose humility this week in a practical way?