Daily Reading Week 23
Sunday
John 6 (focus v.16–21)
Discover:
Jesus had just fed the five thousand on the east side of the Sea of Galilee. Soon afterward, He delivered His Bread of Life Discourse in Capernaum on the west side (John 6:1–14, 24). Today's passage tells how He and His disciples traveled between those two locations.
The disciples set out across the sea without Jesus. He had withdrawn to the mountain, so they headed for Capernaum by boat on their own (vv. 15–17). The Sea of Galilee sits about 600 feet below sea level, and strong winds often create sudden, violent storms. That's exactly what happened here. A fierce storm made the waters rough, and even experienced boatmen could find themselves in real danger (v. 18).
Yet the storm wasn't what frightened the disciples most. They saw Jesus walking on the water toward them, untouched by the waves, and they were terrified (v. 19). For the Jewish people, the sea was a powerful and unpredictable enemy that only God could control. When Jesus approached the boat, the storm instantly calmed (vv. 19–21). This was far more than an ordinary man.
Jesus reassured them with familiar words: "It is I." In Greek, this is ego eimi—the same phrase God used as His covenant name. It's a clear hint of Jesus' divine identity, something we'll see often in John's Gospel. Only God can walk on water, calm storms, and rightfully claim the name "I Am.”
Respond:
• How do you typically respond when obedience leads to difficulty?
• Where in your life does it feel like Jesus is absent right now?
• What would it look like to trust that He is present even in the storm?
Monday
Proverbs 16 (focus v.9)
Discover:
For centuries, theologians have wrestled with what it means for men and women to be made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26–27). While there’s no single definition everyone agrees on, most recognize that part of the divine image includes having a mind and a will. Like God, we form intentions, make plans, and make choices. Deep down, we all sense that we are responsible for our actions (Rom. 1:18–2:29).
At the same time, Scripture reminds us that our will is never the final authority. God’s will always takes precedence. As today’s passage shows, He “works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:11) and establishes our steps.
Matthew Henry noted that every person is both “a reasonable creature” who can make plans and “a depending creature” who lives under the direction of his Maker. We must hold these two truths together: we make real choices, yet those choices fall under God’s sovereign control. This is often called a compatibilist view of freedom. Simply put, we always choose what we most want in any given situation.
Sometimes the options aren’t great. For example, no one wants surgery, but if the choice is between having an inflamed appendix removed or dying from appendicitis, we choose surgery because we want to live more than we want to avoid the pain. In that moment, it’s what we most desire.
In God’s sovereignty, sometimes our choices lead to the results we intend. Other times, our plans are thwarted. But in every case, God’s purposes never fail. He directs our steps according to His design.
Respond:
• Where are you trying to control the outcome instead of trusting God’s direction?
• What situation in your life feels like a detour right now?
• How can you choose trust over control today?
Tuesday
Isaiah 55 (focus v.8–9)
Discover:
We naturally ask God questions like “Why?” “When?” and “How?” When tragedy strikes, the young die, or the wicked seem to prosper, we wrestle with doubt (see Psalm 73). It can be hard to trust a God whose actions we don’t fully understand. Yet when we demand answers, heaven often replies simply, “My ways are higher than your ways.”
Psalm 131 shows us the path to peace: “My heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content” (vv. 1–2). A weaned child doesn’t understand everything his mother does. She may correct him, say “no,” or take him to the doctor, yet he rests in her arms because he knows she loves him and knows what’s best. That’s the humble trust God invites us to have in Him.
From our limited earthly view, God’s actions can seem confusing. But the word “higher” is important. His ways are not just different—they are better and superior. He parts seas, stops the sun, and works miracles when it fits His plan. Sometimes He delivers His people, and sometimes He allows suffering, even for faithful servants (Hebrews 11:32–40). We won’t always understand these things from ground level. From our view, it may not make sense. From His, everything fits perfectly into His sovereign plan.
The Bible leaves little room for coincidence (Proverbs 16:33; Psalm 37:23). Everything serves God’s good purposes for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). We see only a small piece of the puzzle, but God sees the finished picture. He is the Weaver, and even what others intend for evil, He can turn into good (Genesis 50:20).
When we make God’s glory and His kingdom our top priorities, we can trust His higher ways—even when we don’t understand them. We can rest in the confidence that He is always in control.
Respond:
• Where are you struggling to understand what God is doing?
• How does needing full clarity hold you back from obedience?
• What would it look like to trust God’s perspective over your own?
Wednesday
Mark 4 (Focus v.35–41)
Discover:
Several details in this story suggest it comes from an eyewitness account. Mark includes small touches that could easily have been left out without losing the main point. For instance, he mentions other boats that were present and notes that Jesus was “in the stern, asleep on the cushion” (v. 38). These specifics aren’t strictly necessary, but they add life to the story and point to Mark drawing from Peter’s firsthand preaching. Peter was there, so it makes sense he would remember those little details.
The disciples’ intense fear also highlights how dangerous the storm really was. At least four of them—Peter, Andrew, James, and John—were experienced fishermen who knew the Sea of Galilee well. Sudden storms were common there, yet this “great windstorm” filled them with terror as waves swamped the boat (vv. 37, 40). This was no ordinary squall. From a human viewpoint, they were in real danger of sinking.
Finally, we see the disciples still struggling to trust Jesus. In Mark 4:38 they questioned whether He even cared about their safety. Then Jesus gently rebuked them for their weak faith (v. 40). After watching Him perform so many miracles and show such compassion, they still doubted. But before we judge them too quickly, let’s remember that we often struggle with the same weak faith. We need to keep seeking Jesus so He can strengthen our trust in Him.
The good news of the gospel is that our salvation doesn’t depend on the strength of our faith but on the greatness of our Savior. Even when our trust is weak and we wonder if God cares, He remains the same powerful Lord who calmed the storm. Our hope rests not in perfect faith but in our omnipotent Savior. Let’s hold onto that truth while we continue growing in our trust in Him.
Respond:
• What storms are you currently facing?
• How has fear shaped the way you see your situation?
• What would change if you truly believed Jesus is with you in this?
Thursday
Psalm 66 (focus v.10–12)
Discover:
Psalm 66 calls us to loud, joyful worship. The psalmist invites all the earth to shout praises to God and declare His awesome power (66:1-4). Worship should be vocal and public—God is worthy of our enthusiastic praise.
He then urges us to “come and see” God’s works (66:5). The Lord rules over the nations and works out His perfect plan. For Israel, this included the miracle of the Red Sea. Though God sometimes allowed hardship and testing, He never abandoned His people.
“You have tried us as silver is tried... we went through fire and through water; yet You have brought us out to a place of abundance” (66:10-12).
In response, the psalmist commits to worshiping God and telling others about His faithfulness.
Like the Israelites in Exodus and Numbers, we often complain during hard times and wonder why God doesn’t remove our suffering immediately. But this psalm shows that God allows testing for a purpose—to refine us. Hardship and God’s goodness are not incompatible. What feels meaningless to us can be part of His refining work.
Respond:
• How do you typically respond when life feels like a test?
• What might God be developing in you through your current challenges?
• How can you shift from resisting the process to trusting it?
Friday
Hebrews 11 (foucus v.8)
Discover:
Living by faith isn’t always easy. Difficulties can shake our confidence and make us question God’s plans. That’s why we need regular encouragement from Scripture.
Hebrews 11 gives us exactly that. It highlights faithful saints who trusted God even though they never saw all His promises fulfilled in their lifetime (Heb. 11:13). Their example inspires us to keep believing as we wait for God’s final victory.
Abraham stands out as a model of this kind of faith. When God called him, “he went out, not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8). Leaving his home in Ur, Abraham obeyed without knowing his destination. He simply trusted God’s power, goodness, and guidance.
Even after reaching Canaan, Abraham lived as a stranger, dwelling in tents because the land wasn’t yet his (v. 9). He could do this because he was looking ahead to something better—the heavenly city built by God Himself (v. 10). He understood that Canaan was only a shadow of the greater promise to come.
Like Abraham, we are children of faith (Gal. 3:7). We too live as strangers on earth, waiting for the day Jesus returns and renews all creation. Until then, let’s follow Abraham’s example: keep trusting God to lead us, provide for us, and bring His perfect plan to completion.
Respond:
• Where is God asking you to move without having all the details?
• What fears are keeping you from stepping out?
• What is one step of obedience you can take today?
Saturday
Joshua 3 (focus v.7–13)
Discover:
Just before Moses died, the Israelites camped at Shittim on the plains of Moab, northeast of the Dead Sea. From there, Joshua sent two spies into Jericho. They returned with good news: the people of Canaan were terrified of Israel because of God’s mighty acts in Egypt (Josh. 2). The time had come for Israel to enter the Promised Land.
To get there, they had to cross the Jordan River. In springtime, the river was flooded and overflowing its banks (Josh. 3:15). It looked impossible to cross. After three days of waiting, the difficulty of the situation was clear, they would need God’s help.
Joshua gave special instructions: the priests were to carry the Ark of the Covenant ahead of the people (vv. 3–6). This was significant. The ark represented God’s presence with His people. By going first, it showed that the Lord Himself was leading them into the land. The people were told to stay back and consecrate themselves, remembering that God is holy.
Joshua assured them that God was about to do something powerful so they would know He was with them and would drive out the Canaanites (vv. 7–13). As soon as the priests’ feet touched the edge of the flooded river, the water stopped flowing. The Israelites crossed over on completely dry ground — just as they had crossed the Red Sea years earlier (vv. 14–17).
Respond:
• What “river” is in front of you right now?
• Where are you waiting for God to act before you move?
• What would it look like to take a step of faith today?