Daily Reading Week 43
Sunday
Daniel 10 (Scripture Focus 10–13)
Discover:
In recent years, many Christians in the West have become fascinated by the idea of spiritual warfare. You might have come across popular novels that vividly portray epic battles between heaven’s angels and the forces of darkness, or heard teachers talk about this topic with enthusiasm. Often, these discussions mention “territorial spirits”—demonic forces believed to hold influence over specific cities, countries, or regions. You may have even heard calls to “bind the demon of [insert city or country]” to help spread God’s love and message.
This interest often draws from a passage in the Bible, like Daniel 10:13, which describes a spiritual battle between “the prince of the kingdom of Persia” and “Michael, one of the chief princes.” Michael, known as an archangel in Jude 9, seems to be a high-ranking angel in God’s heavenly army. His opponent in this story is clearly a demonic figure with significant influence over the Persian empire. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly call this figure a “territorial spirit,” it does hint at the idea that certain angelic beings—both good and evil—may be connected to specific places. For example, Deuteronomy 32:8 mentions national borders being set “according to the number of the sons of God,” and Genesis 3:24 describes cherubim guarding Eden after Adam and Eve’s fall.
So, what should we take away from this? First, it’s good to recognize that spiritual battles are real and happening in the unseen world. Being aware of areas where spiritual oppression seems strong can help us pray and act wisely. Second, while some places may feel especially resistant to the gospel, possibly due to specific demonic influences, these forces are no match for God’s power. In Daniel 10:13–14, the prince of Persia delayed an angel’s mission to Daniel, but he couldn’t stop it entirely. This reminds us that God’s plans will always prevail, even if there are challenges along the way. Finally, while spiritual warfare is real, we don’t need to focus too much on the power of Satan or his forces. The Bible doesn’t instruct us to “bind” territorial spirits or pray directly against them for the gospel to make an impact.
Yes, there’s a spiritual battle happening, and we shouldn’t ignore the challenges we face. So, let’s focus on praying for God’s protection, asking Him to make His Word shine brightly as we share it with others. Instead of worrying about Satan’s abilities, let’s celebrate the unstoppable power of our loving God!
Respond:
1. What does this story reveal about the reality of spiritual battle?
2. How does prayer push back apathy in your life?
3. What encourages you about God hearing Daniel’s prayer immediately?
4. Where do you need renewed persistence in prayer?
Monday
Ephesians 6 (Scripture Focus 10–12)
Discover:
After unpacking how the gospel shapes all kinds of relationships—husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and servants (Eph. 5:22–6:9)—Paul wraps up his letter to the Ephesians with a call to all believers, no matter who they are or where they stand in life. In Ephesians 6:10–20, he introduces the idea of God’s armor, and it’s not a random shift in topic. When Paul says “finally” in verse 10, he’s signaling that this is the grand finale of everything he’s been teaching. It’s like he’s saying, “Here’s how it all comes together!”
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is like a guidebook for Christian living, but it’s not just about filling our heads with knowledge. The gospel and the church’s purpose aren’t meant to leave us sitting comfortably on the sidelines. Instead, they’re a call to action—to live out God’s will with the strength of the Holy Spirit, helping to grow His kingdom.
Paul also understands by personal experience that what he is encouraging the church to do is not easy. We’ve got real enemies to face—the world, our own sinful nature, and the Devil himself. When we resist the pull of the world, we’re standing up to Satan, the ruler of this broken world. When we fight our sinful tendencies, we’re battling the one who first brought sin into the picture. And, of course, when we confront the Devil directly, we’re taking him on headfirst.
So, how do we stand strong against such a powerful enemy? Paul tells us to put on the armor of God . This armor could represent different things. First, it might be the strength God gives His people to live for Him (Ps. 18:31–32). Second, it could be the armor God Himself wears when He fights His enemies (Isa. 59:15b–17). Or third, it might even be God Himself, since Scripture uses words like truth and righteousness—parts of the armor to describe who God is. Honestly, it’s probably a mix of all three. God equips us with His own strength and presence to stand firm against Satan.
When we put on God’s armor, we’re not just gearing up for battle—we’re wrapping ourselves in His power and love. That’s how we can live out the gospel with confidence, knowing that with God on our side, we’re ready for anything. Let’s stand tall in Him, trusting that His strength will carry us through every challenge!
Respond:
1. Why is it easy to forget we’re in a spiritual battle?
2. How does apathy weaken us in the fight?
3. What part of God’s armor do you most need to strengthen right now?
tuesday
Matthew 25 (Scripture Focus 1–13)
Discover:
The recently departed Dr. John MacArthur highlights how two parables from Jesus teach us to stay ready for His return, whether it comes sooner or later than we expect (The MacArthur Bible Commentary, p. 1,174). These stories remind us to live faithfully and thoughtfully, always prepared for the day when Jesus, our Savior, comes back.
In the first parable, Jesus describes a servant tasked with caring for his master’s household. The wise servant stays faithful, diligently doing his duties because he knows his master could return at any moment. He doesn’t slack off or give in to temptation, thinking, “I’ve got plenty of time.” Instead, he lives each day as if it could be his last chance to serve well. On the other hand, the faithless servant assumes his master will be gone for a long time, so he acts selfishly and sins boldly. This parable encourages us to stay alert and devoted, loving and serving Jesus wholeheartedly, because we don’t know when He’ll return. It’s a call to live with purpose and readiness every single day!
The second parable uses a story of a Near Eastern wedding, something Jesus’ original audience would have understood well. After a wedding at the bride’s home, a joyful procession would escort the newlyweds to the groom’s house for a big celebration. The attendants lit the way with “lamps”—likely torches made of olive oil-soaked cloths wrapped around sticks. The wise attendants brought extra oil, just in case the procession took longer than expected.
In this story, Jesus is the bridegroom, and the ten virgins represent those waiting for His return. Jesus is subtly revealing Himself as God incarnate, echoing Old Testament imagery where God is the groom and His people are His bride. The bridegroom’s arrival takes longer than anticipated, and all ten virgins fall asleep (Matt. 25:2–5). This shows that Jesus’ delay—now over 2,000 years—isn’t unexpected, but it challenges us to be prepared for the long haul.
The foolish virgins run out of oil because they didn’t plan ahead. They weren’t ready for the delay and didn’t consider what it takes to be part of the procession. The wise virgins, however, came prepared with extra oil, ready to shine their light no matter how long the wait. This parable reminds us that following Jesus requires sacrifice, forethought, and spiritual readiness. We need to stay grounded in faith, equipped by God’s Word and strength (Eph. 6:10–20; 2 Tim. 3:16–17), so we can stand firm and be confident in our faith.
Together, these parables encourage us to live with both urgency and endurance. Whether Jesus returns tomorrow or years from now, we’re called to be faithful, wise, and prepared. Let’s keep our hearts focused on Him, living out our faith with love and commitment, ready to join the great celebration when our Bridegroom returns!
Respond:
1. What do the lamps and oil represent in your life?
2. How can apathy cause us to be unprepared for Christ’s return?
3. What does it look like to stay spiritually awake today?
Wednesday
Matthew 25 (Scripture Focus 14–30)
Discover:
The parable of the talents complements the parable of the ten virgins showing that preparing for Jesus’ return means active, faithful service. While the foolish virgins underestimated the cost of readiness, the parable of the talents warns against thinking God’s way is too hard, as seen in the unfaithful servant.
Jesus calls us to “stay awake”, and the talents parable clarifies that this means using our God-given gifts to love Him and our neighbors. In the story, a master entrusts his servants with talents—huge sums of money, where even one talent equals 20 years’ wages. Every believer in Christ receives abundant spiritual gifts, and God expects us to use them fruitfully, no matter how many or few we have.
The one-talent servant, paralyzed by fear of a harsh master, buries his gift and produces nothing. Similarly, viewing God as a tyrant who demands the impossible can make us fruitless. God equips us through His Spirit to please Him.
John Calvin says, “There will be no excuse of the indolence of those who both conceal the gifts of God, and waste their time in idleness.” Don’t let fear or complacency hold you back! Use your time, talents, and resources to serve God and others. Start today, and live faithfully so you’re ready to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant” when Jesus returns.
Respond:
1. Why do you think one servant buried his talent?
2. How is apathy like “burying” what God has given us?
3. What gift or opportunity can you invest for God this week?
THursday
Matthew 25 (Scripture Focus 31–46)
Discover:
In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus makes it clear that there are only two kinds of people: those who love Him and those who don’t. There’s no middle ground—you’re either for Jesus or against Him. Herod’s cruel actions marked him as an enemy, while Matthew’s choice to leave everything and follow Jesus showed his devotion. The rich young ruler, clinging to his wealth, ended up on the wrong side. Similarly, the parable of the talents teaches that those who fail to use their gifts for God’s kingdom show no love for Jesus, while those who serve faithfully reveal their true allegiance.
The parable of the sheep and the goats reinforces this point, picturing the final judgment when all people will be divided into two groups. Many Christians see this passage as a call to care for the poor in general, and that’s not wrong—Scripture encourages generosity to all, including strangers. But Jesus is primarily talking about how we treat our fellow believers, whom He calls His “brothers”. As John Calvin and others note, this parable focuses on our care for the body of Christ.
This doesn’t mean good deeds earn salvation. Instead, Jesus is showing that true love for Him naturally leads to love for His people. As 1 John 4:20 says, you can’t claim to love God while hating your brother. The “sheep” show their faith through simple acts of service, especially to needy believers, while the “goats,” though they may be among God’s people now, ignore the needs of the flock, revealing their lack of love for Jesus. Their disregard leads to a sobering fate.
Respond:
1. How does this parable challenge a “check the box” Christianity?
2. Who are “the least of these” in your world right now?
3. What compassionate act can you do this week to resist apathy?
Friday
Romans 13 (Scripture Focus 11–12)
Discover:
Loving God and our neighbor fulfills God’s law (Rom. 13:8–10), but Paul reminds us that our imperfect efforts don’t earn salvation. We all struggle with sin, and our ability to even begin keeping the law comes from Christ, who perfectly fulfilled it for us where Adam and Israel fell short. Through faith alone, His obedience is credited to us, justifying us—declaring us righteous before God. Paul sometimes uses “salvation” to describe this past event of justification.
Salvation, however isn’t just a one-time event. In Romans 13:11, Paul says our “salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed,” pointing to a future aspect of salvation. Scripture presents salvation as a journey: we were saved (justification), we are being saved (sanctification), and we will be saved (glorification), when sin is fully removed. As Dr. R.C. Sproul explains, “The fullness of our salvation will not take place until our glorification when we enter into heaven” (Romans commentary).
God’s past work guarantees our present growth and future glory. If we’re justified, we’ll surely be glorified, and those who fall away never truly had saving faith. Each day brings us closer to Jesus’ return, when He’ll eradicate sin and bring us into glory. This hope shapes how we live now.
God always finishes what He starts. If you’re in Christ, your glorification is secure, so place your trust in Him. When you feel discouraged by your struggles with sin, remember that God is at work in you, and He’ll complete His redemptive plan. Keep seeking His face, and rest in the promise of His full salvation!
Respond:
1. What does it mean to “wake up” spiritually?
2. Where have you slipped into apathy in your faith?
3. How can you live with more urgency for Christ’s return?
Saturday
Revelation 21 (Scripture Focus 1–4)
Discover:
Revelation can seem puzzling, but it’s not meant to confuse. I imagine obscuration was the furthest thing from John’s mind when he penned the final book of the Bible. It’s an “apocalypse”—an unveiling—to give us clear hope through God’s ultimate plan. Written by John during his exile on Patmos, this vision counters the world’s hostility by revealing the future, using familiar Old Testament imagery from prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel that early Christians understood well.
Revelation brings Scripture full circle. God created the heavens and earth in Genesis 1:1; in Revelation 21:1, He creates a new heaven and earth, a perfect Paradise surpassing the original. The church, like a bride for Jesus (the last Adam), fulfills the imagery of Genesis 2:22–25. The tabernacle’s creation themes point to God’s ultimate presence with His people.
From the start, God had this end in view. The first creation reflected heavenly realities, and now grace restores what sin took away. The new creation—whether brand new or renewed—is what we long for, free from creation’s groans. The absence of the sea signals no more separation or evil, as the beast and Babylon are defeated.
God prepares His people as a bride for His Son and dwells with them forever, wiping away tears and banishing death, sorrow, and pain. Jesus, who wore a crown of thorns, makes this thorn-free world where His people serve as kings and priests.
Revelation offers hope, not confusion. Despite today’s struggles, Jesus’ victory is sure, and He’s preparing a perfect home for us. Let’s live faithfully, trusting in the promise of the new Paradise!
Respond:
1. How does this vision stir your hope?
2. Why does apathy keep us from longing for heaven?
3. What can you do to live more focused on eternity this week?