Daily Reading Week 1
Sunday
1 Peter 2 (focus v.13–17)
Discover:
Many of us remember what life was like before we knew the Lord. We lived according to our old desires and followed the empty ways of the world. But everything changed when we were born again into a living hope through Jesus’ resurrection. This hope, guarded by God Himself, fills us with joy and makes us part of His people, the true Israel.
Now that we belong to Christ, we’re called to live holy lives. That starts with saying “no” to sinful passions and living honorably among those who don’t yet know Him. One practical way we do this is by submitting to governing authorities, for the Lord’s sake.
Peter reminds us that governments exist to punish evil and reward good. When we obey just laws, we’re actually submitting to God’s order. Of course, if any authority ever commands us to sin, we must obey God rather than people (as in Daniel 3).
While we should never obey commands to sin, we must be careful not to stretch that principle too far. Let’s faithfully submit even to laws that feel inconvenient or silly, like paying taxes we’d rather avoid. True holiness shows up in everyday obedience.
Respond:
• Where is it difficult for you to show honor?
• Do you view submission as weakness or worship?
• How can your response to authority reflect trust in God?
Monday
Haggai 1 (focus v.4–8)
Discover:
Sheshbazzar, called “the prince of Judah,” was the first governor Cyrus appointed over the returned exiles in 538 BC (Ezra 1:8–11). We know very little about him. He was soon succeeded by Zerubbabel, a grandson of King Jehoiachin and a descendant of David. As a member of David’s line, Zerubbabel became a focus of messianic hope.
Together with Joshua the high priest, Zerubbabel led the people in rebuilding the altar on Mount Zion and restarting the sacrifices around 536 BC. They also began work on the temple itself. But when the foundation was laid, those who remembered Solomon’s glorious temple wept at how small and humble the new one looked. Then opposition from their enemies caused the Persian king to halt construction for sixteen long years.
In 520 BC, God raised up the prophet Haggai to stir His people. Haggai challenged their complacency: they had nice paneled houses for themselves while God’s house lay in ruins. Even though the work was officially banned, they hadn’t even tried to seek permission to continue. As a result, they worked hard but never seemed satisfied. Their efforts brought little blessing because they had neglected God’s priorities.
Scripture warns us against assuming every difficulty is a direct punishment from God. At the same time, we should be willing to examine our lives when things aren’t going well. Struggles can be an invitation to reflect on our faithfulness and ask whether we’ve put God’s house—and His priorities—first.
Respond:
• What currently holds first place in your life?
• Have you neglected anything God has asked you to rebuild?
• What needs realignment this week?
tuesday
1 Kings 21 (focus v.1–3)
Discover:
First Kings shows us just how wicked King Ahab and Queen Jezebel could be. In today’s passage, Ahab wanted Naboth’s vineyard next to his palace in Jezreel so he could plant a vegetable garden. Naboth refused to sell, because it was the inheritance of his fathers. He was committed to obeying God’s law, which protected family land (Lev. 25:23–28).
Jezebel had no such scruples. She arranged a wicked scheme: she had two false witnesses accuse Naboth of cursing God. He was then executed according to the law, and Ahab took the vineyard. A powerless but godly landowner showed more true righteousness than the king and queen of Israel, who were supposed to uphold justice.
Naboth’s story reminds us that righteous people do not always win in this life. Like him, we may face false accusations and unjust suffering, sometimes even from people inside the covenant community. Jesus warned us this could happen (Matt. 10:16–23). When it does, we must not lose heart or compromise our faith.
Yet justice will come. Ahab’s family was later judged for this and other sins. And one day, at Christ’s return, every wrong will be made right and God’s people will be fully vindicated (Rev. 20:11–15).
We should fight against injustice, such as false accusations, whenever we can. But we may not see full vindication in this life. Let’s look forward to the day Jesus returns, when all truth will be revealed and everything will be set right. In the meantime, let us be careful never to commit injustice ourselves, especially within the church.
Respond:
• Where are you pressured to compromise?
• What convictions must you guard?
• How can you honor God even under tension?
Wednesday
Titus 3 (focus v. 1–2)
Discover:
God has called His church to be “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14–16). That means Christians should live with different values and behaviors than the unbelieving world around us. While we all still struggle with sin, the Holy Spirit is at work, gradually shaping us to look more like Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18).
Sadly, some believers—and especially some leaders—openly sin without repentance and even call evil good. This drags the name of Christ through the mud and harms many. The first-century church in Crete faced similar problems with false teachers who were upsetting whole families (Titus 1:10). Paul wrote to Titus to teach the church how to live differently.
In today’s passage, Paul instructs believers to “speak evil of no one” (Titus 3:2). This does not mean we can never call out real wickedness when necessary. It means we must never slander others or spread falsehoods about them. We should resist the urge to say the worst about people. As Matthew Henry wisely said: “If no good can be spoken, rather than speak evil unnecessarily, say nothing.”
Christian courtesy means refusing to speak evil of others, even when gossip is swirling around us. Since our Lord was slandered unjustly, let us be quick to stop rumors and unwilling to spread harmful talk. In this way, we protect people and honor the name of Christ.
Respond:
• Are you known for gentleness or argument?
• How does your tone reflect your faith?
• Where can you model respectful leadership or followership?
THursday
1 Samuel 24 (Focus v. 4–7)
Discover:
While hiding from Saul in the wilderness, David and his men took refuge in a large cave at Engedi. Saul entered the same cave to relieve himself. David’s men urged him to kill the king and end the threat, but David refused. Instead, he quietly cut off a corner of Saul’s robe. Later, he showed it to Saul as proof that he had no desire to harm him (1 Sam. 24:1–15).
David knew the Lord had chosen him to be king, yet he would not take the throne by force or murder. He respected Saul as the Lord’s anointed and trusted God’s timing. David believed it was better to live in humble obedience than to seize power through sin. He left vengeance in God’s hands.
His restraint deeply moved Saul, who temporarily stopped pursuing him. More importantly, David’s actions revealed the transforming grace of God in his heart. Only someone shaped by God’s Spirit could show such mercy in that moment.
David held back not because Saul deserved mercy, but because God had not appointed him to judge or punish the king. We too are called to leave final vengeance to the Lord. While we should pursue justice when needed, let us ask God for the strength to resist taking revenge ourselves. Only He can judge perfectly.
Respond:
• Where are you tempted to take matters into your own hands?
• What would trusting God’s timing look like?
• How can restraint demonstrate honor?
Friday
Luke 10 (focus v. 33–37)
Discover:
Samaritans were the mixed descendants of Israelites who had intermarried with pagan nations after Assyria conquered the northern kingdom in 722 BC. First-century Jews and Samaritans despised each other, so Jesus’ choice of a Samaritan as the hero of His story would have shocked His listeners.
When a lawyer asked Jesus how to inherit eternal life, Jesus pointed him to the two greatest commandments: love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:25–28). Jesus wasn’t teaching that we can earn salvation by keeping the law. Instead, He used the law to help people see how far short they fall and how much they need God’s mercy.
Jesus then told the parable of the Good Samaritan to show who our neighbor is and what love looks like in action (vv. 29–37). A Jewish priest and Levite both passed by an injured man on the road, but a Samaritan stopped, cared for him, and paid for his recovery. In that culture, a Samaritan helping a Jew was unthinkable. Jesus made it clear: our neighbor is anyone in need, regardless of race, background, or relationship. True love doesn’t limit itself to “people like us.”
The Bible does not teach a universal brotherhood of all people—only those who trust in Christ are God’s children. But it does teach a universal neighborhood. Every person we meet is our neighbor, and we are called to love them all, whether they are Christians or not.
Respond:
• Who around you needs mercy right now?
• Do you cross the road or cross toward people?
• What practical act of honor can you offer this week?
Saturday
Obadiah 1 (focus v. 10–12)
Discover:
Edom, located southeast of the Dead Sea, was perfectly positioned to help Judah when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC. They could have at least sheltered fleeing refugees, but they chose to do nothing.
Obadiah 10–14 describes how Edom went from passively watching Judah’s suffering to actively rejoicing over it. They looted the city, handed over escaping fugitives, and took advantage of Judah’s collapse. Like vultures circling the dead, the Edomites waited for Babylon to finish the job so they could pick through the ruins. God held them fully accountable for their heartless behavior.
This passage is a warning about the sin of omission. It is not enough to simply avoid doing bad things—we must also do the good we know we should do. James 4:17 puts it plainly: “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” Edom saw Judah’s need and refused to help. We do the same whenever we ignore opportunities to show kindness and mercy.
God’s law calls us both to avoid evil and to actively do good. On our own, we fall short of this standard, which is why we rely on Christ’s perfect righteousness for our salvation. Yet because we belong to Him, His Spirit now empowers us to obey.
Respond:
• Have you remained silent when action was needed?
• Where might you need to repair relational dishonor?
• How can you stand with others instead of apart from them?