POPULARITY
Morning: Psalm 32:1–2; Psalm 103:12; Isaiah 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 7:18; Mark 2:5; Mark 2:7; Romans 6:14; Romans 6:18; Ephesians 4:32; 1 John 1:7–9 “Your sins are forgiven.” “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”—“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.”—Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.—Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity? God in Christ forgave you.—The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.—For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace…. And, [you] having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. Psalm 32:1–2 (Listen) Blessed Are the Forgiven A Maskil1 of David. 32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Footnotes [1] 32:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term (ESV) Psalm 103:12 (Listen) 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (ESV) Isaiah 43:25 (Listen) 25 “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. (ESV) Jeremiah 31:34 (Listen) 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” (ESV) Micah 7:18 (Listen) God's Steadfast Love and Compassion 18 Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. (ESV) Mark 2:5 (Listen) 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (ESV) Mark 2:7 (Listen) 7 “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” (ESV) Romans 6:14 (Listen) 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. (ESV) Romans 6:18 (Listen) 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (ESV) Ephesians 4:32 (Listen) 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV) 1 John 1:7–9 (Listen) 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV) Evening: Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 26:8; Matthew 18:20; Matthew 28:20; John 12:21; John 14:18; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Philippians 1:23; Hebrews 12:1–2; 1 John 3:2–3 “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”—“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”—“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.—My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Psalm 145:18 (Listen) 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. (ESV) Isaiah 26:8 (Listen) 8 In the path of your judgments, O LORD, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. (ESV) Matthew 18:20 (Listen) 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (ESV) Matthew 28:20 (Listen) 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV) John 12:21 (Listen) 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” (ESV) John 14:18 (Listen) 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 13:12 (Listen) 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV) Philippians 1:23 (Listen) 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. (ESV) Hebrews 12:1–2 (Listen) Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith 12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV) 1 John 3:2–3 (Listen) 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears1 we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Footnotes [1] 3:2 Or when it appears (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 37:24; Psalm 112:4; Proverbs 6:23; Isaiah 50:10; Micah 7:8–9; Matthew 6:22–23 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright. Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.—Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.—For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!” Psalm 37:24 (Listen) 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. (ESV) Psalm 112:4 (Listen) 4 Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. (ESV) Proverbs 6:23 (Listen) 23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, (ESV) Isaiah 50:10 (Listen) 10 Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God. (ESV) Micah 7:8–9 (Listen) 8 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon his vindication. (ESV) Matthew 6:22–23 (Listen) 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! (ESV) Evening: Psalm 119:176; Isaiah 40:11; Ezekiel 34:15; Matthew 15:32; Mark 10:13; Mark 10:16; Luke 12:32; Luke 19:10; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Peter 2:25 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”—For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. And they were bringing children to him…. And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant.—“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”—For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”—“I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord God.” Psalm 119:176 (Listen) 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. (ESV) Isaiah 40:11 (Listen) 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (ESV) Ezekiel 34:15 (Listen) 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I myself will make them lie down, declares the Lord GOD. (ESV) Matthew 15:32 (Listen) Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand 32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.” (ESV) Mark 10:13 (Listen) Let the Children Come to Me 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. (ESV) Mark 10:16 (Listen) 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (ESV) Luke 12:32 (Listen) 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (ESV) Luke 19:10 (Listen) 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (ESV) Hebrews 4:15 (Listen) 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (ESV) 1 Peter 2:25 (Listen) 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 80:18; Psalm 119:93; John 6:63; John 15:7; Romans 8:26–27; 1 Corinthians 12:3; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Ephesians 6:18; 1 John 5:14 Give us life, and we will call upon your name! “It is the Spirit who gives life.”— Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.—Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.—“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”—For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.—“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”—And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. Psalm 80:18 (Listen) 18 Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name! (ESV) Psalm 119:93 (Listen) 93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. (ESV) John 6:63 (Listen) 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (ESV) John 15:7 (Listen) 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (ESV) Romans 8:26–27 (Listen) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because1 the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Footnotes [1] 8:27 Or that (ESV) 1 Corinthians 12:3 (Listen) 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 3:6 (Listen) 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (ESV) Ephesians 6:18 (Listen) 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, (ESV) 1 John 5:14 (Listen) 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. (ESV) Evening: 1 Corinthians 5:6–7; 1 Corinthians 5:9–11; 1 Corinthians 15:33; Ephesians 5:11; Philippians 2:15; 2 Timothy 2:20 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Cleanse out the old leaven…. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.—That you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 1 Corinthians 5:6–7 (Listen) 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 5:9–11 (Listen) 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 15:33 (Listen) 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”1 Footnotes [1] 15:33 Probably from Menander's comedy Thais (ESV) Ephesians 5:11 (Listen) 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (ESV) Philippians 2:15 (Listen) 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (ESV) 2 Timothy 2:20 (Listen) 20 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 35:3–4; Isaiah 41:10; Zephaniah 3:15; Zephaniah 3:17; Revelation 21:3–4 The Lord, is in your midst. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”—The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.—Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore.” Psalm 27:14 (Listen) 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (ESV) Isaiah 35:3–4 (Listen) 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (ESV) Isaiah 41:10 (Listen) 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV) Zephaniah 3:15 (Listen) 15 The LORD has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil. (ESV) Zephaniah 3:17 (Listen) 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. (ESV) Revelation 21:3–4 (Listen) 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place1 of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,2 and God himself will be with them as their God.3 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Footnotes [1] 21:3 Or tabernacle [2] 21:3 Some manuscripts peoples [3] 21:3 Some manuscripts omit as their God (ESV) Evening: Exodus 14:15; 1 Chronicles 19:13; Nehemiah 4:9; Isaiah 35:3–4; Hosea 6:3; Matthew 7:21; Matthew 26:41; John 7:17; Romans 12:11; 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward.” “Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.”—And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—“If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.”—“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord.” “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”—Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.—Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not!” Exodus 14:15 (Listen) 15 The LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. (ESV) 1 Chronicles 19:13 (Listen) 13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.” (ESV) Nehemiah 4:9 (Listen) 9 And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night. (ESV) Isaiah 35:3–4 (Listen) 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (ESV) Hosea 6:3 (Listen) 3 Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.” (ESV) Matthew 7:21 (Listen) I Never Knew You 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (ESV) Matthew 26:41 (Listen) 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (ESV) John 7:17 (Listen) 17 If anyone's will is to do God's1 will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. Footnotes [1] 7:17 Greek his (ESV) Romans 12:11 (Listen) 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,1 serve the Lord. Footnotes [1] 12:11 Or fervent in the Spirit (ESV) 1 Corinthians 16:13 (Listen) 13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (ESV)
A new song from All Souls Music Team that grew out of our BYOSong gatherings, where musicians are invited to bring a song they wrote or love and we learn it and work on it together. This song expresses the longing for light during the longest nights of the year.
Morning: Psalm 23:5; John 1:16; John 14:26; Acts 10:38; Romans 8:26; Colossians 1:19; 1 John 2:20; 1 John 2:27 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.—For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.—And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. You anoint my head with oil.—But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything—and is true and is no lie, just as it has taught you—abide in him. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Psalm 23:5 (Listen) 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (ESV) John 1:16 (Listen) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.1 Footnotes [1] 1:16 Or grace in place of grace (ESV) John 14:26 (Listen) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (ESV) Acts 10:38 (Listen) 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. (ESV) Romans 8:26 (Listen) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (ESV) Colossians 1:19 (Listen) 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, (ESV) 1 John 2:20 (Listen) 20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.1 Footnotes [1] 2:20 Some manuscripts you know everything (ESV) 1 John 2:27 (Listen) 27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (ESV) Evening: Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:13–14; Hebrews 9:19; Hebrews 9:21–22; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 12:24 With our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.—The sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people…. And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Ephesians 1:7 (Listen) 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, (ESV) Hebrews 9:13–14 (Listen) 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify1 for the purification of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our2 conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Footnotes [1] 9:13 Or For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies [2] 9:14 Some manuscripts your (ESV) Hebrews 9:19 (Listen) 19 For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, (ESV) Hebrews 9:21–22 (Listen) 21 And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. 22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. (ESV) Hebrews 10:22 (Listen) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (ESV) Hebrews 12:24 (Listen) 24 and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 32:7; Psalm 61:2; Psalm 91:1; Psalm 121:5–6; Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 32:3; Zechariah 13:7; John 10:30; Hebrews 2:14 Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm. Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things.—“The man who stands next to me,” declares the Lord of hosts.—“I and the Father are one.” He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.—There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain.—The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.—You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble.—You have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall. Psalm 32:7 (Listen) 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah (ESV) Psalm 61:2 (Listen) 2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, (ESV) Psalm 91:1 (Listen) My Refuge and My Fortress 91 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (ESV) Psalm 121:5–6 (Listen) 5 The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is your shade on your right hand.6 The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. (ESV) Isaiah 4:6 (Listen) 6 There will be a booth for shade by day from the heat, and for a refuge and a shelter from the storm and rain. (ESV) Isaiah 25:4 (Listen) 4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, (ESV) Isaiah 32:3 (Listen) 3 Then the eyes of those who see will not be closed, and the ears of those who hear will give attention. (ESV) Zechariah 13:7 (Listen) The Shepherd Struck 7 “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me,” declares the LORD of hosts. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones. (ESV) John 10:30 (Listen) 30 I and the Father are one.” (ESV) Hebrews 2:14 (Listen) 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (ESV) Evening: Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1–5 “Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth.” “As the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me,… so shall your offspring and your name remain.” But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Isaiah 65:17 (Listen) New Heavens and a New Earth 17 “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. (ESV) Isaiah 66:22 (Listen) 22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before me, says the LORD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. (ESV) 2 Peter 3:13 (Listen) 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (ESV) Revelation 21:1–5 (Listen) The New Heaven and the New Earth 21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place1 of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people,2 and God himself will be with them as their God.3 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” 5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Footnotes [1] 21:3 Or tabernacle [2] 21:3 Some manuscripts peoples [3] 21:3 Some manuscripts omit as their God (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 27:4; Psalm 36:7–9; Psalm 65:4; Psalm 107:9; Matthew 5:6; Luke 1:53; John 6:35 We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”—“He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.” He satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.—“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. Psalm 27:4 (Listen) 4 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire1 in his temple. Footnotes [1] 27:4 Or meditate (ESV) Psalm 36:7–9 (Listen) 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. (ESV) Psalm 65:4 (Listen) 4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! (ESV) Psalm 107:9 (Listen) 9 For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. (ESV) Matthew 5:6 (Listen) 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (ESV) Luke 1:53 (Listen) 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (ESV) John 6:35 (Listen) 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (ESV) Evening: Matthew 7:20–21; John 13:17; John 16:31; Hebrews 11:17–19; James 1:25; James 2:14; James 2:17; James 2:21; James 2:24 “Do you now believe?” What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?… Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son…. He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead.—Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?… You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. The one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. “You will recognize them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”—“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” Matthew 7:20–21 (Listen) 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. I Never Knew You 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (ESV) John 13:17 (Listen) 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (ESV) John 16:31 (Listen) 31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? (ESV) Hebrews 11:17–19 (Listen) 17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, 18 of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 19 He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. (ESV) James 1:25 (Listen) 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (ESV) James 2:14 (Listen) Faith Without Works Is Dead 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? (ESV) James 2:17 (Listen) 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (ESV) James 2:21 (Listen) 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? (ESV) James 2:24 (Listen) 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 37:23; Psalm 147:11; Proverbs 8:31; Isaiah 43:1; Isaiah 49:15–16; Isaiah 62:4; Malachi 3:17; Colossians 1:21–22 The Lord delights in you. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”—“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way.—Delighting in the children of man.—The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.—“They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.” You, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him. Psalm 37:23 (Listen) 23 The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; (ESV) Psalm 147:11 (Listen) 11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. (ESV) Proverbs 8:31 (Listen) 31 rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the children of man. (ESV) Isaiah 43:1 (Listen) Israel's Only Savior 43 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (ESV) Isaiah 49:15–16 (Listen) 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.16 Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. (ESV) Isaiah 62:4 (Listen) 4 You shall no more be termed Forsaken,1 and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,2 but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,3 and your land Married;4 for the LORD delights in you, and your land shall be married. Footnotes [1] 62:4 Hebrew Azubah [2] 62:4 Hebrew Shemamah [3] 62:4 Hebrew Hephzibah [4] 62:4 Hebrew Beulah (ESV) Malachi 3:17 (Listen) 17 “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. (ESV) Colossians 1:21–22 (Listen) 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, (ESV) Evening: 2 Samuel 17:23; Psalm 147:3; Proverbs 18:14; Isaiah 61:1–3; Jeremiah 8:22; Matthew 11:28–30; Acts 8:35; 2 Corinthians 7:10 Worldly grief produces death. When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died.—A crushed spirit who can bear? Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored?—The Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,… to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit.—“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Philip… told him the good news about Jesus.—He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. 2 Samuel 17:23 (Listen) 23 When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself, and he died and was buried in the tomb of his father. (ESV) Psalm 147:3 (Listen) 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (ESV) Proverbs 18:14 (Listen) 14 A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? (ESV) Isaiah 61:1–3 (Listen) The Year of the Lord's Favor 61 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor;1 he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;22 to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.3 Footnotes [1] 61:1 Or afflicted [2] 61:1 Or the opening [of the eyes] to those who are blind; Septuagint and recovery of sight to the blind [3] 61:3 Or that he may display his beauty (ESV) Jeremiah 8:22 (Listen) 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored? (ESV) Matthew 11:28–30 (Listen) 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV) Acts 8:35 (Listen) 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Listen) 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 119:32; Isaiah 26:13; Matthew 6:24; Matthew 11:29–30; John 12:26; Romans 6:18; Romans 6:20–22; Romans 10:4 Having been set free from sin, [you] have become slaves of righteousness. “You cannot serve God and money.”—When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.—Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.”—“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” “O Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance.”—I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! Psalm 119:32 (Listen) 32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!1 Footnotes [1] 119:32 Or for you set my heart free (ESV) Isaiah 26:13 (Listen) 13 O LORD our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone we bring to remembrance. (ESV) Matthew 6:24 (Listen) 24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.1 Footnotes [1] 6:24 Greek mammon, a Semitic word for money or possessions (ESV) Matthew 11:29–30 (Listen) 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (ESV) John 12:26 (Listen) 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. (ESV) Romans 6:18 (Listen) 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (ESV) Romans 6:20–22 (Listen) 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. (ESV) Romans 10:4 (Listen) 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.1 Footnotes [1] 10:4 Or end of the law, that everyone who believes may be justified (ESV) Evening: 2 Kings 21:1–3; 2 Kings 21:5–6; 2 Chronicles 33:12–13; Isaiah 1:18; Acts 2:21; 2 Peter 3:9 “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Manasseh… did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the despicable practices of the nations…. He erected altars for Baal…. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with wizards. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.—And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”—The Lord is… patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish. 2 Kings 21:1–3 (Listen) Manasseh Reigns in Judah 21 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. (ESV) 2 Kings 21:5–6 (Listen) 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 And he burned his son as an offering1 and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger. Footnotes [1] 21:6 Hebrew made his son pass through the fire (ESV) 2 Chronicles 33:12–13 (Listen) 12 And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 13 He prayed to him, and God was moved by his entreaty and heard his plea and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD was God. (ESV) Isaiah 1:18 (Listen) 18 “Come now, let us reason1 together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Footnotes [1] 1:18 Or dispute (ESV) Acts 2:21 (Listen) 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (ESV) 2 Peter 3:9 (Listen) 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,1 not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Footnotes [1] 3:9 Some manuscripts on your account (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 23:4; Psalm 27:1; Psalm 56:3–4; Isaiah 42:16; Isaiah 43:2–3; Micah 7:8 When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”—I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.—When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?—The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 23:4 (Listen) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,1 I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Footnotes [1] 23:4 Or the valley of deep darkness (ESV) Psalm 27:1 (Listen) The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation Of David. 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold1 of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Footnotes [1] 27:1 Or refuge (ESV) Psalm 56:3–4 (Listen) 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (ESV) Isaiah 42:16 (Listen) 16 And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. (ESV) Isaiah 43:2–3 (Listen) 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. (ESV) Micah 7:8 (Listen) 8 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. (ESV) Evening: Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 106:6–7; Psalm 106:23; Galatians 3:20; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 3:1–2; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 8:12 One God, and… one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”—An intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. We and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt,… they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love…. Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them. Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. The covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises…. “I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Deuteronomy 6:4 (Listen) 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.1 Footnotes [1] 6:4 Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone (ESV) Psalm 106:6–7 (Listen) 6 Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness.7 Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea. (ESV) Psalm 106:23 (Listen) 23 Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them. (ESV) Galatians 3:20 (Listen) 20 Now an intermediary implies more than one, but God is one. (ESV) 1 Timothy 2:5 (Listen) 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man1 Christ Jesus, Footnotes [1] 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4 (ESV) Hebrews 3:1–2 (Listen) Jesus Greater Than Moses 3 Therefore, holy brothers,1 you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's2 house. Footnotes [1] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12 [2] 3:2 Greek his; also verses 5, 6 (ESV) Hebrews 8:6 (Listen) 6 But as it is, Christ1 has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Footnotes [1] 8:6 Greek he (ESV) Hebrews 8:12 (Listen) 12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 40:5; Psalm 92:5; Isaiah 55:8–9; Romans 11:33; Ephesians 3:17–19; Colossians 1:9 Your thoughts are very deep! We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding.—That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!—For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.—You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. Psalm 40:5 (Listen) 5 You have multiplied, O LORD my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. (ESV) Psalm 92:5 (Listen) 5 How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep! (ESV) Isaiah 55:8–9 (Listen) 8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (ESV) Romans 11:33 (Listen) 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! (ESV) Ephesians 3:17–19 (Listen) 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (ESV) Colossians 1:9 (Listen) 9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (ESV) Evening: Job 4:8; Proverbs 11:18; Proverbs 11:24–25; Hosea 8:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6; Galatians 6:7–10 Whatever one sows, that will he also reap. “As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same.”—They sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind.—The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. One who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.—The one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.—Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Job 4:8 (Listen) 8 As I have seen, those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same. (ESV) Proverbs 11:18 (Listen) 18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward. (ESV) Proverbs 11:24–25 (Listen) 24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. (ESV) Hosea 8:7 (Listen) 7 For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 9:6 (Listen) The Cheerful Giver 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully1 will also reap bountifully. Footnotes [1] 9:6 Greek with blessings; twice in this verse (ESV) Galatians 6:7–10 (Listen) 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 19:7–8; Psalm 119:50; John 3:5; John 17:17; Ephesians 5:2; Ephesians 5:25–26; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23 Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.—“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”—“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”—He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.—Your promise gives me life. The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:7–8 (Listen) 7 The law of the LORD is perfect,1 reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; Footnotes [1] 19:7 Or blameless (ESV) Psalm 119:50 (Listen) 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. (ESV) John 3:5 (Listen) 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (ESV) John 17:17 (Listen) 17 Sanctify them1 in the truth; your word is truth. Footnotes [1] 17:17 Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God) (ESV) Ephesians 5:2 (Listen) 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (ESV) Ephesians 5:25–26 (Listen) 25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (ESV) Titus 3:5 (Listen) 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (ESV) 1 Peter 1:23 (Listen) 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (ESV) Evening: Luke 11:2; John 14:13–14; John 14:16–17; John 17:23; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 4:4–6; Hebrews 10:19–20; Hebrews 10:22 Through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one.” “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it…. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”—There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.—“When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name.” Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way… let us draw near. Luke 11:2 (Listen) 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. (ESV) John 14:13–14 (Listen) 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me1 anything in my name, I will do it. Footnotes [1] 14:14 Some manuscripts omit me (ESV) John 14:16–17 (Listen) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,1 to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be2 in you. Footnotes [1] 14:16 Or Advocate, or Counselor; also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 [2] 14:17 Some manuscripts and is (ESV) John 17:23 (Listen) 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. (ESV) Ephesians 2:18 (Listen) 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (ESV) Ephesians 4:4–6 (Listen) 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (ESV) Hebrews 10:19–20 (Listen) The Full Assurance of Faith 19 Therefore, brothers,1 since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, Footnotes [1] 10:19 Or brothers and sisters (ESV) Hebrews 10:22 (Listen) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 40:12–13; Psalm 51:17; Psalm 147:3; Hosea 12:6; Micah 6:8; Matthew 26:75; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 John 1:7; 1 John 1:9 Godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret. Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.—The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. My iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me! O Lord, make haste to help me! “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.—He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.—He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Psalm 40:12–13 (Listen) 12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me! (ESV) Psalm 51:17 (Listen) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (ESV) Psalm 147:3 (Listen) 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (ESV) Hosea 12:6 (Listen) 6 “So you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God.” (ESV) Micah 6:8 (Listen) 8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,1 and to walk humbly with your God? Footnotes [1] 6:8 Or steadfast love (ESV) Matthew 26:75 (Listen) 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 7:10 (Listen) 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (ESV) 1 John 1:7 (Listen) 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (ESV) 1 John 1:9 (Listen) 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (ESV) Evening: 2 Kings 4:26; 2 Corinthians 4:8–10; 2 Corinthians 4:13; 2 Corinthians 4:16–18; 2 Corinthians 6:9–10; 3 John 2 “‘Is all well with you?…'” And she answered, “All is well.” We have the same spirit of faith.—As punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies…. So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. 2 Kings 4:26 (Listen) 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?'” And she answered, “All is well.” (ESV) 2 Corinthians 4:8–10 (Listen) 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 4:13 (Listen) 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, (ESV) 2 Corinthians 4:16–18 (Listen) 16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self1 is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. Footnotes [1] 4:16 Greek man (ESV) 2 Corinthians 6:9–10 (Listen) 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (ESV) 3 John 2 (Listen) 2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 89:19; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 43:11; Acts 4:12; Philippians 2:7–9; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 2:14 “I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.” “I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.”—There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.—“There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Mighty God.—[He] made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.—We see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.—Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things. Psalm 89:19 (Listen) 19 Of old you spoke in a vision to your godly one,1 and said: “I have granted help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people. Footnotes [1] 89:19 Some Hebrew manuscripts godly ones (ESV) Isaiah 9:6 (Listen) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon1 his shoulder, and his name shall be called2 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Footnotes [1] 9:6 Or is upon [2] 9:6 Or is called (ESV) Isaiah 43:11 (Listen) 11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. (ESV) Acts 4:12 (Listen) 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men1 by which we must be saved.” Footnotes [1] 4:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women (ESV) Philippians 2:7–9 (Listen) 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,1 being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Footnotes [1] 2:7 Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface) (ESV) 1 Timothy 2:5 (Listen) 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man1 Christ Jesus, Footnotes [1] 2:5 men and man render the same Greek word that is translated people in verses 1 and 4 (ESV) Hebrews 2:9 (Listen) 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (ESV) Hebrews 2:14 (Listen) 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, (ESV) Evening: Deuteronomy 30:4; Psalm 50:5; Mark 13:27; John 17:24; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 9:28 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.—He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant. “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am.”—“Then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”—“If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.” The dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Deuteronomy 30:4 (Listen) 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. (ESV) Psalm 50:5 (Listen) 5 “Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!” (ESV) Mark 13:27 (Listen) 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. (ESV) John 17:24 (Listen) 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (Listen) 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (ESV) Hebrews 9:15 (Listen) 15 Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.1 Footnotes [1] 9:15 The Greek word means both covenant and will; also verses 16, 17 (ESV) Hebrews 9:28 (Listen) 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 31:19; Psalm 34:8; Psalm 107:8; Psalm 145:9–12; Isaiah 43:21; Zechariah 9:17; Ephesians 1:5–6; Ephesians 1:12 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of men! Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!—Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you. “The people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.”—He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved… so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. How great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!—The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. All your works shall give thanks to you, O Lord, and all your saints shall bless you! They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Psalm 31:19 (Listen) 19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! (ESV) Psalm 34:8 (Listen) 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV) Psalm 107:8 (Listen) 8 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! (ESV) Psalm 145:9–12 (Listen) 9 The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. 10 All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12 to make known to the children of man your1 mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. Footnotes [1] 145:12 Hebrew his; also next line (ESV) Isaiah 43:21 (Listen) 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. (ESV) Zechariah 9:17 (Listen) 17 For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty! Grain shall make the young men flourish, and new wine the young women. (ESV) Ephesians 1:5–6 (Listen) 5 he predestined us1 for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Footnotes [1] 1:5 Or before him in love, 5having predestined us (ESV) Ephesians 1:12 (Listen) 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. (ESV) Evening: Romans 5:3–5; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10; Hebrews 12:11; James 1:2–4; James 1:12; James 5:11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.—For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.—Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing…. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.—Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me…. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Romans 5:3–5 (Listen) 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (Listen) 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV) Hebrews 12:11 (Listen) 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (ESV) James 1:2–4 (Listen) Testing of Your Faith 2 Count it all joy, my brothers,1 when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Footnotes [1] 1:2 Or brothers and sisters. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, the plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) may refer either to brothers or to brothers and sisters; also verses 16, 19 (ESV) James 1:12 (Listen) 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (ESV) James 5:11 (Listen) 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 107:43; Proverbs 10:29; Hosea 14:9; Matthew 6:22; Matthew 11:15; Matthew 13:12; John 5:40; John 7:17; John 8:47; John 10:27; 1 Peter 2:7–8 The ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,… “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.”—The way of the Lord is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”—Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the Lord.—“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”—“If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God.”—“To the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance.”—“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”—“You refuse to come to me that you may have life.”—“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” Psalm 107:43 (Listen) 43 Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD. (ESV) Proverbs 10:29 (Listen) 29 The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers. (ESV) Hosea 14:9 (Listen) 9 Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them. (ESV) Matthew 6:22 (Listen) 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, (ESV) Matthew 11:15 (Listen) 15 He who has ears to hear,1 let him hear. Footnotes [1] 11:15 Some manuscripts omit to hear (ESV) Matthew 13:12 (Listen) 12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. (ESV) John 5:40 (Listen) 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (ESV) John 7:17 (Listen) 17 If anyone's will is to do God's1 will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. Footnotes [1] 7:17 Greek his (ESV) John 8:47 (Listen) 47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (ESV) John 10:27 (Listen) 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. (ESV) 1 Peter 2:7–8 (Listen) 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,”1 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. Footnotes [1] 2:7 Greek the head of the corner (ESV) Evening: Exodus 3:14; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 53:11; John 8:19; John 8:58; John 10:30; John 10:38; John 14:8–9; Colossians 1:17; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:8; Hebrews 2:13; Revelation 1:8 Everlasting Father. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” “I and the Father are one…. The Father is in me and I am in the Father.”—“If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”—Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.”—“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”—Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied.—“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”—“Before Abraham was, I am.”—God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” Of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.”—He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.—In him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily. Exodus 3:14 (Listen) 14 God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.”1 And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” Footnotes [1] 3:14 Or I am what I am, or I will be what I will be (ESV) Deuteronomy 6:4 (Listen) 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.1 Footnotes [1] 6:4 Or The Lord our God is one Lord; or The Lord is our God, the Lord is one; or The Lord is our God, the Lord alone (ESV) Isaiah 9:6 (Listen) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon1 his shoulder, and his name shall be called2 Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Footnotes [1] 9:6 Or is upon [2] 9:6 Or is called (ESV) Isaiah 53:11 (Listen) 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see1 and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Footnotes [1] 53:11 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scroll he shall see light (ESV) John 8:19 (Listen) 19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” (ESV) John 8:58 (Listen) 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” (ESV) John 10:30 (Listen) 30 I and the Father are one.” (ESV) John 10:38 (Listen) 38 but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” (ESV) John 14:8–9 (Listen) 8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'? (ESV) Colossians 1:17 (Listen) 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (ESV) Colossians 2:9 (Listen) 9 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, (ESV) Hebrews 1:8 (Listen) 8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. (ESV) Hebrews 2:13 (Listen) 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” (ESV) Revelation 1:8 (Listen) 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 45:2; Psalm 104:34; Song of Solomon 5:10; Song of Solomon 5:16; Philippians 2:9; Philippians 3:8–9; Colossians 1:19; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 Peter 2:6 He is altogether desirable. May my meditation be pleasing to him.—My beloved is… distinguished among ten thousand.—“A cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”—You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips.—God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name.—In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. Psalm 45:2 (Listen) 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. (ESV) Psalm 104:34 (Listen) 34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. (ESV) Song of Solomon 5:10 (Listen) The Bride Praises Her Beloved She 10 My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand. (ESV) Song of Solomon 5:16 (Listen) 16 His mouth1 is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. Footnotes [1] 5:16 Hebrew palate (ESV) Philippians 2:9 (Listen) 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, (ESV) Philippians 3:8–9 (Listen) 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— (ESV) Colossians 1:19 (Listen) 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, (ESV) 1 Peter 1:8 (Listen) 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (ESV) 1 Peter 2:6 (Listen) 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (ESV) Evening: 1 Samuel 30:6; Psalm 18:6; Psalm 18:18–19; Psalm 34:1–4; Psalm 34:8; John 6:68; 2 Timothy 1:12 David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”—I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears…. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears…. Oh taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 1 Samuel 30:6 (Listen) 6 And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,1 each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. Footnotes [1] 30:6 Compare 22:2 (ESV) Psalm 18:6 (Listen) 6 In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears. (ESV) Psalm 18:18–19 (Listen) 18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the LORD was my support.19 He brought me out into a broad place; he rescued me, because he delighted in me. (ESV) Psalm 34:1–4 (Listen) Taste and See That the Lord Is Good 1 Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. 34 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Footnotes [1] 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (ESV) Psalm 34:8 (Listen) 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV) John 6:68 (Listen) 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, (ESV) 2 Timothy 1:12 (Listen) 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.1 Footnotes [1] 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 40:6–8; Isaiah 45:21–22; Isaiah 59:16; John 10:17–18; Acts 4:12; 2 Corinthians 8:9 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation. Sacrifice and offering you have not desired, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”—“I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again.” “And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.”—“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”—You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. Psalm 40:6–8 (Listen) 6 In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear.1 Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required.7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” Footnotes [1] 40:6 Hebrew ears you have dug for me (ESV) Isaiah 45:21–22 (Listen) 21 Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together! Who told this long ago? Who declared it of old? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides me. 22 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. (ESV) Isaiah 59:16 (Listen) 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. (ESV) John 10:17–18 (Listen) 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” (ESV) Acts 4:12 (Listen) 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men1 by which we must be saved.” Footnotes [1] 4:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women (ESV) 2 Corinthians 8:9 (Listen) 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (ESV) Evening: Micah 7:8; Luke 10:19; Ephesians 6:11–16; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8 The enemy. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.—Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. Micah 7:8 (Listen) 8 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. (ESV) Luke 10:19 (Listen) 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. (ESV) Ephesians 6:11–16 (Listen) 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (ESV) James 4:7 (Listen) 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (ESV) 1 Peter 5:8 (Listen) 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 75:6–7; Psalm 99:1; Jeremiah 5:22; Daniel 2:21; Matthew 10:29–31; Matthew 24:6; Romans 8:31 The Lord reigns. “Do you not fear me? declares the Lord; do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it.”—Not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.—“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed.” If God is for us, who can be against us?—“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Psalm 75:6–7 (Listen) 6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another. (ESV) Psalm 99:1 (Listen) The Lord Our God Is Holy 99 The LORD reigns; let the peoples tremble! He sits enthroned upon the cherubim; let the earth quake! (ESV) Jeremiah 5:22 (Listen) 22 Do you not fear me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before me? I placed the sand as the boundary for the sea, a perpetual barrier that it cannot pass; though the waves toss, they cannot prevail; though they roar, they cannot pass over it. (ESV) Daniel 2:21 (Listen) 21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; (ESV) Matthew 10:29–31 (Listen) 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?1 And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Footnotes [1] 10:29 Greek assarion, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/16 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer) (ESV) Matthew 24:6 (Listen) 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. (ESV) Romans 8:31 (Listen) God's Everlasting Love 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be1 against us? Footnotes [1] 8:31 Or who is (ESV) Evening: Numbers 11:27–29; Malachi 2:15; Luke 9:49–50; Luke 9:54–55; Galatians 5:22–26 Guard yourselves in your spirit. “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”… “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” But he turned and rebuked them. “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun… said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Numbers 11:27–29 (Listen) 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” (ESV) Malachi 2:15 (Listen) 15 Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union?1 And what was the one God2 seeking?3 Godly offspring. So guard yourselves4 in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth. Footnotes [1] 2:15 Hebrew in it [2] 2:15 Hebrew the one [3] 2:15 Or And not one has done this who has a portion of the Spirit. And what was that one seeking? [4] 2:15 Or So take care; also verse 16 (ESV) Luke 9:49–50 (Listen) Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us 49 John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.” (ESV) Luke 9:54–55 (Listen) 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”1 55 But he turned and rebuked them.2 Footnotes [1] 9:54 Some manuscripts add as Elijah did [2] 9:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; 56for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them” (ESV) Galatians 5:22–26 (Listen) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 43:5; Psalm 44:23; Isaiah 40:27; Isaiah 49:14–15; Isaiah 54:8; Lamentations 3:17–18; Jonah 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 “I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.” Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”—I have forgotten what happiness is; so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the Lord.”—Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!—Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”?—“In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord, your Redeemer. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.—We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. Psalm 43:5 (Listen) 5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. (ESV) Psalm 44:23 (Listen) 23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! (ESV) Isaiah 40:27 (Listen) 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God”? (ESV) Isaiah 49:14–15 (Listen) 14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. (ESV) Isaiah 54:8 (Listen) 8 In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer. (ESV) Lamentations 3:17–18 (Listen) 17 my soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness1 is;18 so I say, “My endurance has perished; so has my hope from the LORD.” Footnotes [1] 3:17 Hebrew good (ESV) Jonah 2:4 (Listen) 4 Then I said, ‘I am driven away from your sight; yet I shall again look upon your holy temple.' (ESV) 2 Corinthians 4:8–9 (Listen) 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; (ESV) Evening: Psalm 4:6; Psalm 63:1; Ecclesiastes 2:17; Ecclesiastes 2:22–23; Isaiah 41:17; Isaiah 44:3; Jeremiah 2:13; Matthew 5:6; John 6:37 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good?”— What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest…. All is vanity and a striving after wind.—“They have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”—“I will pour water on the thirsty land.”—“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”—O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 4:6 (Listen) 6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” (ESV) Psalm 63:1 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 2:17 (Listen) 17 So I hated life, because what is done under the sun was grievous to me, for all is vanity and a striving after wind. (ESV) Ecclesiastes 2:22–23 (Listen) 22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. (ESV) Isaiah 41:17 (Listen) 17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (ESV) Isaiah 44:3 (Listen) 3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. (ESV) Jeremiah 2:13 (Listen) 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (ESV) Matthew 5:6 (Listen) 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (ESV) John 6:37 (Listen) 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 37:16; Proverbs 15:16; Proverbs 30:8–9; Matthew 6:11; Matthew 6:25; Luke 12:15; Luke 22:35; 1 Timothy 6:6; 1 Timothy 6:8; Hebrews 13:5 “One's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.—Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it.—Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment…. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.—Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.—“Give us this day our daily bread.” “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”—“When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.”—Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Psalm 37:16 (Listen) 16 Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked. (ESV) Proverbs 15:16 (Listen) 16 Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it. (ESV) Proverbs 30:8–9 (Listen) 8 Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,9 lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God. (ESV) Matthew 6:11 (Listen) 11 Give us this day our daily bread,1 Footnotes [1] 6:11 Or our bread for tomorrow (ESV) Matthew 6:25 (Listen) Do Not Be Anxious 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? (ESV) Luke 12:15 (Listen) 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (ESV) Luke 22:35 (Listen) Scripture Must Be Fulfilled in Jesus 35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” (ESV) 1 Timothy 6:6 (Listen) 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, (ESV) 1 Timothy 6:8 (Listen) 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. (ESV) Hebrews 13:5 (Listen) 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (ESV) Evening: John 3:6; John 6:63; Romans 6:11; Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 15:45; Galatians 2:20; Titus 3:5 “It is the Spirit who gives life.” “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.—“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”—He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God.—You… must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. John 3:6 (Listen) 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.1 Footnotes [1] 3:6 The same Greek word means both wind and spirit (ESV) John 6:63 (Listen) 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (ESV) Romans 6:11 (Listen) 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (ESV) Romans 8:9–11 (Listen) 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus1 from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Footnotes [1] 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus (ESV) 1 Corinthians 15:45 (Listen) 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”;1 the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. Footnotes [1] 15:45 Greek a living soul (ESV) Galatians 2:20 (Listen) 20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (ESV) Titus 3:5 (Listen) 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 27:1; Psalm 27:5–6; Psalm 56:3; Psalm 108:1; Psalm 112:7–8; Isaiah 26:3; 1 Peter 5:10–11 My heart is steadfast, O God! The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.—He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.—He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Psalm 27:1 (Listen) The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation Of David. 27 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold1 of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Footnotes [1] 27:1 Or refuge (ESV) Psalm 27:5–6 (Listen) 5 For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. (ESV) Psalm 56:3 (Listen) 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (ESV) Psalm 108:1 (Listen) With God We Shall Do Valiantly A Song. A Psalm of David. 108 My heart is steadfast, O God! I will sing and make melody with all my being!1 Footnotes [1] 108:1 Hebrew with my glory (ESV) Psalm 112:7–8 (Listen) 7 He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.8 His heart is steady;1 he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. Footnotes [1] 112:8 Or established (compare 111:8) (ESV) Isaiah 26:3 (Listen) 3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. (ESV) 1 Peter 5:10–11 (Listen) 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (ESV) Evening: Psalm 103:19; Proverbs 16:33; Isaiah 45:5–7; Daniel 4:35; Amos 3:6; Luke 12:32; Romans 8:31; 1 Corinthians 15:25 The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.—“Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?” “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me, that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things.” He does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”—If God is for us, who can be against us? He must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.—“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Psalm 103:19 (Listen) 19 The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all. (ESV) Proverbs 16:33 (Listen) 33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. (ESV) Isaiah 45:5–7 (Listen) 5 I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me,6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides me; I am the LORD, and there is no other.7 I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the LORD, who does all these things. (ESV) Daniel 4:35 (Listen) 35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (ESV) Amos 3:6 (Listen) 6 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? (ESV) Luke 12:32 (Listen) 32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (ESV) Romans 8:31 (Listen) God's Everlasting Love 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be1 against us? Footnotes [1] 8:31 Or who is (ESV) 1 Corinthians 15:25 (Listen) 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 32:11; Psalm 89:16; Isaiah 45:24–25; Romans 3:21–22; Romans 3:26; Philippians 4:4; 1 Peter 1:8 Who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. “Only in the Lord, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him. In the Lord all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.”—Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.— Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory. Psalm 32:11 (Listen) 11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (ESV) Psalm 89:16 (Listen) 16 who exult in your name all the day and in your righteousness are exalted. (ESV) Isaiah 45:24–25 (Listen) 24 “Only in the LORD, it shall be said of me, are righteousness and strength; to him shall come and be ashamed all who were incensed against him.25 In the LORD all the offspring of Israel shall be justified and shall glory.” (ESV) Romans 3:21–22 (Listen) The Righteousness of God Through Faith 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: (ESV) Romans 3:26 (Listen) 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (ESV) Philippians 4:4 (Listen) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (ESV) 1 Peter 1:8 (Listen) 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, (ESV) Evening: 1 Chronicles 29:11; 1 Chronicles 29:13–14; Psalm 93:1–2; Psalm 115:1; Daniel 3:17; Nahum 1:3; Matthew 6:13; John 10:29; Romans 8:31; 1 John 4:4 For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty…. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. The Lord is… great in power.—If God is for us, who can be against us?—“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us,… and he will deliver us.”—“My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.”—He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory.—“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all…. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 (Listen) 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. (ESV) 1 Chronicles 29:13–14 (Listen) 13 And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 14 “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you. (ESV) Psalm 93:1–2 (Listen) The Lord Reigns 93 The LORD reigns; he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.2 Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. (ESV) Psalm 115:1 (Listen) To Your Name Give Glory 115 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! (ESV) Daniel 3:17 (Listen) 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.1 Footnotes [1] 3:17 Or If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us, he will deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and out of your hand, O king (ESV) Nahum 1:3 (Listen) 3 The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. (ESV) Matthew 6:13 (Listen) 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.1 Footnotes [1] 6:13 Or the evil one; some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen (ESV) John 10:29 (Listen) 29 My Father, who has given them to me,1 is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. Footnotes [1] 10:29 Some manuscripts What my Father has given to me (ESV) Romans 8:31 (Listen) God's Everlasting Love 31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be1 against us? Footnotes [1] 8:31 Or who is (ESV) 1 John 4:4 (Listen) 4 Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 51:17; Psalm 86:5–7; Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 57:15; Daniel 10:12; James 4:6–7; 1 Peter 5:6 “From the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard.” Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”—The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.—Though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.—Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.—“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace. In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. Psalm 51:17 (Listen) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (ESV) Psalm 86:5–7 (Listen) 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.6 Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; listen to my plea for grace.7 In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me. (ESV) Psalm 138:6 (Listen) 6 For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar. (ESV) Isaiah 57:15 (Listen) 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (ESV) Daniel 10:12 (Listen) 12 Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words. (ESV) James 4:6–7 (Listen) 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (ESV) 1 Peter 5:6 (Listen) 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (ESV) Evening: Matthew 6:10; Matthew 7:24–25; Matthew 18:14; Mark 3:34–35; Ephesians 5:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; James 1:18; James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 Peter 4:2; 1 John 2:17 “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Understand what the will of the Lord is. “It is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.” This is the will of God, your sanctification.—So as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God.—Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth…. Therefore put away all filthiness. “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”—[Jesus] said,… “Whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”—“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”—The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. Matthew 6:10 (Listen) 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done,1 on earth as it is in heaven. Footnotes [1] 6:10 Or Let your kingdom come, let your will be done (ESV) Matthew 7:24–25 (Listen) Build Your House on the Rock 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. (ESV) Matthew 18:14 (Listen) 14 So it is not the will of my1 Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. Footnotes [1] 18:14 Some manuscripts your (ESV) Mark 3:34–35 (Listen) 34 And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” (ESV) Ephesians 5:17 (Listen) 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (ESV) 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (Listen) 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification:1 that you abstain from sexual immorality; Footnotes [1] 4:3 Or your holiness (ESV) James 1:18 (Listen) 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (ESV) James 1:21 (Listen) 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (ESV) 1 Peter 1:16 (Listen) 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (ESV) 1 Peter 4:2 (Listen) 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. (ESV) 1 John 2:17 (Listen) 17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 13:1–2; Psalm 22:11; Psalm 27:9; Psalm 46:1; Psalm 62:1; Psalm 62:5; Psalm 91:15; Psalm 145:18–19; Matthew 28:20; John 14:18 Be not far from me, for trouble is near. How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day?—Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.—The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”—“Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.—For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 13:1–2 (Listen) How Long, O Lord? To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 13 How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? (ESV) Psalm 22:11 (Listen) 11 Be not far from me, for trouble is near, and there is none to help. (ESV) Psalm 27:9 (Listen) 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! (ESV) Psalm 46:1 (Listen) God Is Our Fortress To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth.1 A Song. 46 God is our refuge and strength, a very present2 help in trouble. Footnotes [1] 46:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 46:1 Or well proved (ESV) Psalm 62:1 (Listen) My Soul Waits for God Alone To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. 62 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. (ESV) Psalm 62:5 (Listen) 5 For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. (ESV) Psalm 91:15 (Listen) 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. (ESV) Psalm 145:18–19 (Listen) 18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19 He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (ESV) Matthew 28:20 (Listen) 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV) John 14:18 (Listen) 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (ESV) Evening: Exodus 15:11; Exodus 34:14; 1 Chronicles 16:29; Job 42:5–6; Isaiah 6:1–3; Isaiah 6:5; Matthew 6:9; Hebrews 10:19; Hebrews 10:22; Hebrews 12:10; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 4:8 “Hallowed be your name.” “You shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” “Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?”—“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.” Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.—I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim…. One called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”… And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost.”—“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself.” The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.—That we may share his holiness.—Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,… let us draw near with a true heart. Exodus 15:11 (Listen) 11 “Who is like you, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? (ESV) Exodus 34:14 (Listen) 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), (ESV) 1 Chronicles 16:29 (Listen) 29 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness;1 Footnotes [1] 16:29 Or in holy attire (ESV) Job 42:5–6 (Listen) 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;6 therefore I despise myself, and repent1 in dust and ashes.” Footnotes [1] 42:6 Or and am comforted (ESV) Isaiah 6:1–3 (Listen) Isaiah's Vision of the Lord 6 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train1 of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”2 Footnotes [1] 6:1 Or hem [2] 6:3 Or may his glory fill the whole earth (ESV) Isaiah 6:5 (Listen) 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (ESV) Matthew 6:9 (Listen) 9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.1 Footnotes [1] 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence (ESV) Hebrews 10:19 (Listen) The Full Assurance of Faith 19 Therefore, brothers,1 since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, Footnotes [1] 10:19 Or brothers and sisters (ESV) Hebrews 10:22 (Listen) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (ESV) Hebrews 12:10 (Listen) 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. (ESV) 1 John 1:7 (Listen) 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (ESV) Revelation 4:8 (Listen) 8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 119:46; Matthew 5:10–12; Luke 12:4–5; Acts 20:24; Romans 8:35; Romans 8:37; Hebrews 13:6 “I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. “Do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!” “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.”—“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course.”—I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame. Psalm 119:46 (Listen) 46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame, (ESV) Matthew 5:10–12 (Listen) 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (ESV) Luke 12:4–5 (Listen) Have No Fear 4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell.1 Yes, I tell you, fear him! Footnotes [1] 12:5 Greek Gehenna (ESV) Acts 20:24 (Listen) 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (ESV) Romans 8:35 (Listen) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (ESV) Romans 8:37 (Listen) 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (ESV) Hebrews 13:6 (Listen) 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (ESV) Evening: Psalm 40:2; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 16:18; Acts 4:12; Romans 8:35; Romans 8:37–39; 1 Corinthians 10:4; Hebrews 10:22–23; James 1:6 He… set my feet upon a rock. The Rock was Christ.—Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”… “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”—“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Full assurance of faith…. Hope without wavering.—Faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Psalm 40:2 (Listen) 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. (ESV) Matthew 16:16 (Listen) 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (ESV) Matthew 16:18 (Listen) 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock1 I will build my church, and the gates of hell2 shall not prevail against it. Footnotes [1] 16:18 The Greek words for Peter and rock sound similar [2] 16:18 Greek the gates of Hades (ESV) Acts 4:12 (Listen) 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men1 by which we must be saved.” Footnotes [1] 4:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women (ESV) Romans 8:35 (Listen) 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (ESV) Romans 8:37–39 (Listen) 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 10:4 (Listen) 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. (ESV) Hebrews 10:22–23 (Listen) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. (ESV) James 1:6 (Listen) 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 26:8; Psalm 65:4; Psalm 73:28; Psalm 84:10; Isaiah 30:18; Lamentations 3:25; Hebrews 10:19–20; Hebrews 10:22 For me it is good to be near God. O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells.—For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.—Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.—Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us,… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience. Psalm 26:8 (Listen) 8 O LORD, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. (ESV) Psalm 65:4 (Listen) 4 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple! (ESV) Psalm 73:28 (Listen) 28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works. (ESV) Psalm 84:10 (Listen) 10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (ESV) Isaiah 30:18 (Listen) The Lord Will Be Gracious 18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. (ESV) Lamentations 3:25 (Listen) 25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. (ESV) Hebrews 10:19–20 (Listen) The Full Assurance of Faith 19 Therefore, brothers,1 since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, Footnotes [1] 10:19 Or brothers and sisters (ESV) Hebrews 10:22 (Listen) 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. (ESV) Evening: Psalm 34:8; Psalm 45:2; Song of Solomon 2:3; Luke 4:22; John 1:14; John 3:11; 2 Corinthians 8:9; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 2:3; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 John 5:10 You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.—You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips.—All spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth.—You have tasted that the Lord is good.—Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.—“Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen.” Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!—With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”—Grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.—As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. Psalm 34:8 (Listen) 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV) Psalm 45:2 (Listen) 2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. (ESV) Song of Solomon 2:3 (Listen) She 3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. (ESV) Luke 4:22 (Listen) 22 And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, “Is not this Joseph's son?” (ESV) John 1:14 (Listen) 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son1 from the Father, full of grace and truth. Footnotes [1] 1:14 Or only One, or unique One (ESV) John 3:11 (Listen) 11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you1 do not receive our testimony. Footnotes [1] 3:11 The Greek for you is plural here; also four times in verse 12 (ESV) 2 Corinthians 8:9 (Listen) 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 12:9 (Listen) 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (ESV) Ephesians 4:7 (Listen) 7 But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. (ESV) 1 Peter 2:3 (Listen) 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (ESV) 1 Peter 4:10 (Listen) 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: (ESV) 1 John 5:10 (Listen) 10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 4:6; Psalm 31:16; Psalm 89:6; Psalm 104:34; Song of Solomon 2:3; Song of Solomon 5:10–11; Song of Solomon 5:13; Song of Solomon 5:15; Matthew 13:46; Mark 7:24; John 7:46; Ephesians 1:22; Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord. As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.—For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord? Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord? My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand.—“One pearl of great value.”—The ruler of kings on earth. His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven.—Head over all things.—He is the head of the body, the church. His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs.—He could not be hidden.—His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh.—“No one ever spoke like this man!”—His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars.—Make your face shine on your servant.—“Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” Psalm 4:6 (Listen) 6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” (ESV) Psalm 31:16 (Listen) 16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! (ESV) Psalm 89:6 (Listen) 6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings1 is like the LORD, Footnotes [1] 89:6 Hebrew the sons of God, or the sons of might (ESV) Psalm 104:34 (Listen) 34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD. (ESV) Song of Solomon 2:3 (Listen) She 3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. (ESV) Song of Solomon 5:10–11 (Listen) The Bride Praises Her Beloved She 10 My beloved is radiant and ruddy, distinguished among ten thousand.11 His head is the finest gold; his locks are wavy, black as a raven. (ESV) Song of Solomon 5:13 (Listen) 13 His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs. His lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh. (ESV) Song of Solomon 5:15 (Listen) 15 His legs are alabaster columns, set on bases of gold. His appearance is like Lebanon, choice as the cedars. (ESV) Matthew 13:46 (Listen) 46 who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (ESV) Mark 7:24 (Listen) The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith 24 And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon.1 And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. Footnotes [1] 7:24 Some manuscripts omit and Sidon (ESV) John 7:46 (Listen) 46 The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” (ESV) Ephesians 1:22 (Listen) 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, (ESV) Colossians 1:18 (Listen) 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (ESV) Revelation 1:5 (Listen) 5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood (ESV) Evening: Matthew 26:39; Matthew 26:53; Luke 24:46–47; John 6:38; John 12:27; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:7–8 “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour.” “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”—He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.— In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?”—“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” Matthew 26:39 (Listen) 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (ESV) Matthew 26:53 (Listen) 53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? (ESV) Luke 24:46–47 (Listen) 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for1 the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. Footnotes [1] 24:47 Some manuscripts and (ESV) John 6:38 (Listen) 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. (ESV) John 12:27 (Listen) The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour'? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. (ESV) Philippians 2:8 (Listen) 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (ESV) Hebrews 5:7–8 (Listen) 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus1 offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Footnotes [1] 5:7 Greek he (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 119:18; Psalm 139:17–18; Matthew 11:25–26; Matthew 13:11; Luke 24:45; Romans 11:33–34; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 2:12 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.—“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”—“I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”—Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.—How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand.— Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”… For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Psalm 119:18 (Listen) 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. (ESV) Psalm 139:17–18 (Listen) 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. (ESV) Matthew 11:25–26 (Listen) Come to Me, and I Will Give You Rest 25 At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.1 Footnotes [1] 11:26 Or for so it pleased you well (ESV) Matthew 13:11 (Listen) 11 And he answered them, “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. (ESV) Luke 24:45 (Listen) 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, (ESV) Romans 11:33–34 (Listen) 33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” (ESV) Romans 11:36 (Listen) 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 2:12 (Listen) 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. (ESV) Evening: Judges 15:19; Malachi 3:10; Luke 11:9; Luke 11:13; John 4:10; John 7:37; John 7:39; Romans 8:15; Galatians 4:6 En-hakkore [the spring of him who called]. “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”—“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”… Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive. “Thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”—“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”—“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find.” Because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”—You did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” Judges 15:19 (Listen) 19 And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore;1 it is at Lehi to this day. Footnotes [1] 15:19 En-hakkore means the spring of him who called (ESV) Malachi 3:10 (Listen) 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. (ESV) Luke 11:9 (Listen) 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (ESV) Luke 11:13 (Listen) 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (ESV) John 4:10 (Listen) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” (ESV) John 7:37 (Listen) Rivers of Living Water 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. (ESV) John 7:39 (Listen) 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (ESV) Romans 8:15 (Listen) 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (ESV) Galatians 4:6 (Listen) 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 51:17; Psalm 147:3; Isaiah 35:4; Isaiah 57:15–16; Ezekiel 34:16; Matthew 12:20; Hebrews 12:12–13 “A bruised reed he will not break.” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.—He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.—Thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made.” “I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak.”—Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.—“Behold, your God…. He will come and save you.” Psalm 51:17 (Listen) 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (ESV) Psalm 147:3 (Listen) 3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (ESV) Isaiah 35:4 (Listen) 4 Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.” (ESV) Isaiah 57:15–16 (Listen) 15 For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.16 For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would grow faint before me, and the breath of life that I made. (ESV) Ezekiel 34:16 (Listen) 16 I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy.1 I will feed them in justice. Footnotes [1] 34:16 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate I will watch over (ESV) Matthew 12:20 (Listen) 20 a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; (ESV) Hebrews 12:12–13 (Listen) 12 Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. (ESV) Evening: Job 34:3; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 34:8; Song of Solomon 2:3; John 2:9–10; Romans 2:4; Romans 8:32; 2 Corinthians 4:13; 2 Timothy 1:12; 1 Peter 2:2–3 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from,… the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” “The ear tests words as the palate tastes food.”—“I believed, and so I spoke.”—I know whom I have believed.—With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. God's kindness.—He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Job 34:3 (Listen) 3 for the ear tests words as the palate tastes food. (ESV) Psalm 5:11 (Listen) 11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. (ESV) Psalm 34:8 (Listen) 8 Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! (ESV) Song of Solomon 2:3 (Listen) She 3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. (ESV) John 2:9–10 (Listen) 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” (ESV) Romans 2:4 (Listen) 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (ESV) Romans 8:32 (Listen) 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (ESV) 2 Corinthians 4:13 (Listen) 13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, (ESV) 2 Timothy 1:12 (Listen) 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.1 Footnotes [1] 1:12 Or what I have entrusted to him; Greek my deposit (ESV) 1 Peter 2:2–3 (Listen) 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:13–14; Isaiah 51:12; Isaiah 66:13; John 14:16–17; Romans 8:26; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4; 1 Peter 5:7; Revelation 21:4 “I, I am he who comforts you.” Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.—As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.—“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.”—Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.—“Another Helper,… even the Spirit of truth.”—The Spirit helps us in our weakness. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Psalm 86:15 (Listen) 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (ESV) Psalm 103:13–14 (Listen) 13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.14 For he knows our frame;1 he remembers that we are dust. Footnotes [1] 103:14 Or knows how we are formed (ESV) Isaiah 51:12 (Listen) 12 “I, I am he who comforts you; who are you that you are afraid of man who dies, of the son of man who is made like grass, (ESV) Isaiah 66:13 (Listen) 13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. (ESV) John 14:16–17 (Listen) 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,1 to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be2 in you. Footnotes [1] 14:16 Or Advocate, or Counselor; also 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 [2] 14:17 Some manuscripts and is (ESV) Romans 8:26 (Listen) 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (Listen) God of All Comfort 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (ESV) 1 Peter 5:7 (Listen) 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (ESV) Revelation 21:4 (Listen) 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (ESV) Evening: Matthew 5:16; John 17:13; Romans 8:17; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 1:5; Ephesians 5:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 12:2; 2 Peter 1:17; 1 John 3:1 You were called into the fellowship of his Son. He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”—See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.—If children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.—“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame.—“These things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.”—As we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. Matthew 5:16 (Listen) 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that1 they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Footnotes [1] 5:16 Or house. 16Let your light so shine before others that (ESV) John 17:13 (Listen) 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. (ESV) Romans 8:17 (Listen) 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 1:9 (Listen) 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (ESV) 2 Corinthians 1:5 (Listen) 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.1 Footnotes [1] 1:5 Or For as the sufferings of Christ abound for us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ (ESV) Ephesians 5:1 (Listen) Walk in Love 5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (ESV) Hebrews 1:3 (Listen) 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (ESV) Hebrews 12:2 (Listen) 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (ESV) 2 Peter 1:17 (Listen) 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son,1 with whom I am well pleased,” Footnotes [1] 1:17 Or my Son, my (or the) Beloved (ESV) 1 John 3:1 (Listen) 3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 63:1–2; Psalm 84:2; Song of Solomon 5:1; Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; John 6:55; John 7:37; Revelation 22:17 “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.” My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.—O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.”—The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.—“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”—“My blood is true drink.” Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love! Psalm 63:1–2 (Listen) My Soul Thirsts for You A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 63 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. (ESV) Psalm 84:2 (Listen) 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. (ESV) Song of Solomon 5:1 (Listen) He 5 I came to my garden, my sister, my bride, I gathered my myrrh with my spice, I ate my honeycomb with my honey, I drank my wine with my milk. Others Eat, friends, drink, and be drunk with love! (ESV) Isaiah 55:1 (Listen) The Compassion of the Lord 55 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (ESV) John 4:14 (Listen) 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.1 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Footnotes [1] 4:14 Greek forever (ESV) John 6:55 (Listen) 55 For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. (ESV) John 7:37 (Listen) Rivers of Living Water 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. (ESV) Revelation 22:17 (Listen) 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (ESV) Evening: Matthew 5:13; Mark 9:50; Luke 20:36; John 11:25; Romans 1:23; Romans 8:9–11; 1 Corinthians 15:42; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 Peter 3:4 “You are the salt of the earth.” The imperishable.—You have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.—“Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”—“Sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”—The immortal God. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.—What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. “Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”—Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Matthew 5:13 (Listen) Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. (ESV) Mark 9:50 (Listen) 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.” (ESV) Luke 20:36 (Listen) 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons1 of the resurrection. Footnotes [1] 20:36 Greek huioi; see Preface (ESV) John 11:25 (Listen) 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.1 Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, Footnotes [1] 11:25 Some manuscripts omit and the life (ESV) Romans 1:23 (Listen) 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. (ESV) Romans 8:9–11 (Listen) 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus1 from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Footnotes [1] 8:11 Some manuscripts lack Jesus (ESV) 1 Corinthians 15:42 (Listen) 42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. (ESV) Ephesians 4:29 (Listen) 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (ESV) 1 Peter 1:23 (Listen) 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; (ESV) 1 Peter 3:4 (Listen) 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 25:8–10; Jeremiah 32:39; Ezekiel 36:26; John 17:21; Ephesians 4:1–6 “I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.” “I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you.”—Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.—“That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” I… urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness,… eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. Psalm 25:8–10 (Listen) 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. (ESV) Jeremiah 32:39 (Listen) 39 I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. (ESV) Ezekiel 36:26 (Listen) 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (ESV) John 17:21 (Listen) 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (ESV) Ephesians 4:1–6 (Listen) Unity in the Body of Christ 4 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (ESV) Evening: Genesis 32:26; Genesis 49:24; 1 Samuel 17:45; Psalm 35:1–2; Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 27:5; Isaiah 40:31; Isaiah 49:5; 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength. When I am weak, then I am strong.—My God has become my strength.—But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.—“Let them lay hold of my protection.” Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.—His arms were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob. “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”—Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me! Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! Genesis 32:26 (Listen) 26 Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (ESV) Genesis 49:24 (Listen) 24 yet his bow remained unmoved; his arms1 were made agile by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd,2 the Stone of Israel), Footnotes [1] 49:24 Hebrew the arms of his hands [2] 49:24 Or by the name of the Shepherd (ESV) 1 Samuel 17:45 (Listen) 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (ESV) Psalm 35:1–2 (Listen) Great Is the Lord Of David. 35 Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me!2 Take hold of shield and buckler and rise for my help! (ESV) Psalm 55:22 (Listen) 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (ESV) Isaiah 27:5 (Listen) 5 Or let them lay hold of my protection, let them make peace with me, let them make peace with me.” (ESV) Isaiah 40:31 (Listen) 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (ESV) Isaiah 49:5 (Listen) 5 And now the LORD says, he who formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him; and that Israel might be gathered to him— for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength— (ESV) 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 (Listen) 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 81:10; Isaiah 41:17; Isaiah 55:2; Matthew 5:6; Luke 1:53; John 6:35; Revelation 3:17–19 “He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away.” “You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich…. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.” “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”—When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the Lord will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them.—I am the Lord your God…. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. “Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.”—“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” Psalm 81:10 (Listen) 10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. (ESV) Isaiah 41:17 (Listen) 17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst, I the LORD will answer them; I the God of Israel will not forsake them. (ESV) Isaiah 55:2 (Listen) 2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. (ESV) Matthew 5:6 (Listen) 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (ESV) Luke 1:53 (Listen) 53 he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. (ESV) John 6:35 (Listen) 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. (ESV) Revelation 3:17–19 (Listen) 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. (ESV) Evening: Job 5:19; Psalm 37:24; Psalm 73:2; Psalm 94:18; Proverbs 24:16; Micah 7:8; Luke 22:31–32; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1 My feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” The righteous falls seven times and rises again.—Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.—“He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you.” If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.—Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Job 5:19 (Listen) 19 He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil1 shall touch you. Footnotes [1] 5:19 Or disaster (ESV) Psalm 37:24 (Listen) 24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand. (ESV) Psalm 73:2 (Listen) 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. (ESV) Psalm 94:18 (Listen) 18 When I thought, “My foot slips,” your steadfast love, O LORD, held me up. (ESV) Proverbs 24:16 (Listen) 16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity. (ESV) Micah 7:8 (Listen) 8 Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. (ESV) Luke 22:31–32 (Listen) Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,1 that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Footnotes [1] 22:31 The Greek word for you (twice in this verse) is plural; in verse 32, all four instances are singular (ESV) Hebrews 7:25 (Listen) 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost1 those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Footnotes [1] 7:25 That is, completely; or at all times (ESV) 1 John 2:1 (Listen) Christ Our Advocate 2 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 25:1; Psalm 63:3–4; Psalm 86:4–5; Psalm 113:5–6; Psalm 143:6–8; Lamentations 3:41; John 14:13 Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven. Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth?—To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.—I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land…. Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit. Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.—Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. “Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do.” Psalm 25:1 (Listen) Teach Me Your Paths 1 Of David. 25 To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. Footnotes [1] 25:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (ESV) Psalm 63:3–4 (Listen) 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. (ESV) Psalm 86:4–5 (Listen) 4 Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. (ESV) Psalm 113:5–6 (Listen) 5 Who is like the LORD our God, who is seated on high,6 who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? (ESV) Psalm 143:6–8 (Listen) 6 I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah 7 Answer me quickly, O LORD! My spirit fails! Hide not your face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the pit.8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (ESV) Lamentations 3:41 (Listen) 41 Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: (ESV) John 14:13 (Listen) 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (ESV) Evening: Psalm 130:5–6; Isaiah 21:11; Matthew 24:32–33; Matthew 24:35; Matthew 25:13; Romans 13:11–12; Revelation 22:20 “Watchman, what time of the night?” The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates…. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.” Psalm 130:5–6 (Listen) 5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;6 my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. (ESV) Isaiah 21:11 (Listen) 11 The oracle concerning Dumah. One is calling to me from Seir, “Watchman, what time of the night? Watchman, what time of the night?” (ESV) Matthew 24:32–33 (Listen) The Lesson of the Fig Tree 32 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (ESV) Matthew 24:35 (Listen) 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (ESV) Matthew 25:13 (Listen) 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (ESV) Romans 13:11–12 (Listen) 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (ESV) Revelation 22:20 (Listen) 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 139:16; John 17:6; Romans 8:29; 1 Corinthians 12:12; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 1:22–23; Ephesians 4:15–16; Ephesians 5:30; Colossians 1:18; Hebrews 10:5 Just as the body is one and has many members,… so it is with Christ. He is the head of the body, the church.—Head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.—We are members of his body. “A body have you prepared for me.”—Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them. “Yours they were, and you gave them to me.”—He chose us in him before the foundation of the world.—Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son. We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped… makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Psalm 139:16 (Listen) 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (ESV) John 17:6 (Listen) 6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. (ESV) Romans 8:29 (Listen) 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (ESV) 1 Corinthians 12:12 (Listen) One Body with Many Members 12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. (ESV) Ephesians 1:4 (Listen) 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love (ESV) Ephesians 1:22–23 (Listen) 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. (ESV) Ephesians 4:15–16 (Listen) 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (ESV) Ephesians 5:30 (Listen) 30 because we are members of his body. (ESV) Colossians 1:18 (Listen) 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. (ESV) Hebrews 10:5 (Listen) 5 Consequently, when Christ1 came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; Footnotes [1] 10:5 Greek he (ESV) Evening: Psalm 36:7–9; Isaiah 55:1; Isaiah 65:13; Jeremiah 2:13; John 4:14; John 7:39; Revelation 22:17 The fountain of living waters. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. For with you is the fountain of life. Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty.”—“Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”—Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive. “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”—The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Psalm 36:7–9 (Listen) 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights.9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. (ESV) Isaiah 55:1 (Listen) The Compassion of the Lord 55 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (ESV) Isaiah 65:13 (Listen) 13 Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Behold, my servants shall eat, but you shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but you shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but you shall be put to shame; (ESV) Jeremiah 2:13 (Listen) 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water. (ESV) John 4:14 (Listen) 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.1 The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Footnotes [1] 4:14 Greek forever (ESV) John 7:39 (Listen) 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (ESV) Revelation 22:17 (Listen) 17 The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 27:14; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 40:28–29; Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 10:35–36; James 1:3–4 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary…. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.—Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—You have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall. The testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.—Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. Psalm 27:14 (Listen) 14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! (ESV) Isaiah 25:4 (Listen) 4 For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall, (ESV) Isaiah 40:28–29 (Listen) 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (ESV) Isaiah 41:10 (Listen) 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV) Hebrews 10:35–36 (Listen) 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. (ESV) James 1:3–4 (Listen) 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV) Evening: Psalm 23:2; Psalm 37:7; Song of Solomon 2:3–4; Isaiah 57:20–21; Matthew 11:28; Ephesians 4:14–15; Hebrews 4:10; Hebrews 13:9 He makes me lie down in green pastures. “But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet…. There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”—“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”—Be still before the Lord.—Whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.—So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste, he brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Psalm 23:2 (Listen) 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.1 Footnotes [1] 23:2 Hebrew beside waters of rest (ESV) Psalm 37:7 (Listen) 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! (ESV) Song of Solomon 2:3–4 (Listen) She 3 As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste.4 He brought me to the banqueting house,1 and his banner over me was love. Footnotes [1] 2:4 Hebrew the house of wine (ESV) Isaiah 57:20–21 (Listen) 20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea; for it cannot be quiet, and its waters toss up mire and dirt.21 There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (ESV) Matthew 11:28 (Listen) 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (ESV) Ephesians 4:14–15 (Listen) 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, (ESV) Hebrews 4:10 (Listen) 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. (ESV) Hebrews 13:9 (Listen) 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 17:4–5; Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:22–23; Isaiah 30:21; John 8:12; 1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Peter 1:19; Revelation 22:5 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. By the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.—When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you. For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light.—Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”—We have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place.—Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.—They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Psalm 17:4–5 (Listen) 4 With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.5 My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. (ESV) Psalm 119:105 (Listen) Nun 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (ESV) Proverbs 6:22–23 (Listen) 22 When you walk, they1 will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, Footnotes [1] 6:22 Hebrew it; three times in this verse (ESV) Isaiah 30:21 (Listen) 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. (ESV) John 8:12 (Listen) I Am the Light of the World 12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (ESV) 1 Corinthians 13:12 (Listen) 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV) 2 Peter 1:19 (Listen) 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, (ESV) Revelation 22:5 (Listen) 5 And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (ESV) Evening: 1 Chronicles 22:19; Psalm 62:10; Jonah 1:6; Micah 2:10; Matthew 25:5; Mark 13:35–36; Luke 21:34; Luke 22:46; Romans 13:11; Colossians 3:2; Hebrews 10:37 “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise.” This is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys.—Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.—If riches increase, set not your heart on them.—“Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God. Arise.” “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”—“But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.”—“As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.”—“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay.”—The hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.—“Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the cock crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.” 1 Chronicles 22:19 (Listen) 19 Now set your mind and heart to seek the LORD your God. Arise and build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the holy vessels of God may be brought into a house built for the name of the LORD.” (ESV) Psalm 62:10 (Listen) 10 Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. (ESV) Jonah 1:6 (Listen) 6 So the captain came and said to him, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.” (ESV) Micah 2:10 (Listen) 10 Arise and go, for this is no place to rest, because of uncleanness that destroys with a grievous destruction. (ESV) Matthew 25:5 (Listen) 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. (ESV) Mark 13:35–36 (Listen) 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows,1 or in the morning—36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. Footnotes [1] 13:35 That is, the third watch of the night, between midnight and 3 a.m. (ESV) Luke 21:34 (Listen) Watch Yourselves 34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. (ESV) Luke 22:46 (Listen) 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” (ESV) Romans 13:11 (Listen) 11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (ESV) Colossians 3:2 (Listen) 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV) Hebrews 10:37 (Listen) 37 For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 40:2–3; Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 51:1; Ezekiel 16:5–6; Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 2:4–5 “Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug.” Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity.—“No eye pitied you,… but you were cast out on the open field, for you were abhorred, on the day that you were born. And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you,… ‘Live!'” He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. Psalm 40:2–3 (Listen) 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. (ESV) Psalm 51:5 (Listen) 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. (ESV) Isaiah 51:1 (Listen) The Lord's Comfort for Zion 51 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. (ESV) Ezekiel 16:5–6 (Listen) 5 No eye pitied you, to do any of these things to you out of compassion for you, but you were cast out on the open field, for you were abhorred, on the day that you were born. 6 “And when I passed by you and saw you wallowing in your blood, I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!' I said to you in your blood, ‘Live!' (ESV) Romans 5:6–8 (Listen) 6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV) Ephesians 2:4–5 (Listen) 4 But1 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— Footnotes [1] 2:4 Or And (ESV) Evening: Psalm 34:1–3; Psalm 84:11–12; Psalm 103:1; Isaiah 61:10; Acts 16:25; Ephesians 5:18–20; Philippians 4:4; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!—The Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!—Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!—Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.—Be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything.—Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.—Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Psalm 34:1–3 (Listen) Taste and See That the Lord Is Good 1 Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. 34 I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2 My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3 Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together! Footnotes [1] 34:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet (ESV) Psalm 84:11–12 (Listen) 11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! (ESV) Psalm 103:1 (Listen) Bless the Lord, O My Soul Of David. 103 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (ESV) Isaiah 61:10 (Listen) 10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (ESV) Acts 16:25 (Listen) The Philippian Jailer Converted 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, (ESV) Ephesians 5:18–20 (Listen) 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (ESV) Philippians 4:4 (Listen) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (ESV) Colossians 3:16 (Listen) 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. (ESV) James 5:13 (Listen) The Prayer of Faith 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 119:105–176 Psalm 119:105–176 (Listen) Nun 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules.109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.1 Samekh 113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope!117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments. Ayin 121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.122 Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.123 My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.125 I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!126 It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.127 Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way. Pe 129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.134 Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.135 Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.136 My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law. Tsadhe 137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.142 Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.143 Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live. Qoph 145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes.146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life.150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law.151 But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever. Resh 153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.154 Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.156 Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules.157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not swerve from your testimonies.158 I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.159 Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love.160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever. Sin and Shin 161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.162 I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.166 I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you. Taw 169 Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!170 Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.171 My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.172 My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.174 I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. Footnotes [1] 119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal (ESV) Evening: 1 Corinthians 5 1 Corinthians 5 (Listen) Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church 5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.1 6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church2 whom you are to judge? 13 God judges3 those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.” Footnotes [1] 5:5 Some manuscripts add Jesus [2] 5:12 Greek those inside [3] 5:13 Or will judge (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 119:49–104 Psalm 119:49–104 (Listen) Zayin 49 Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.51 The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.55 I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.56 This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts. Heth 57 The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.58 I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.59 When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.62 At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.63 I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes! Teth 65 You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.69 The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;70 their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. Yodh 73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.74 Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.75 I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.77 Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.78 Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.79 Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.80 May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! Kaph 81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.82 My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?”83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.84 How long must your servant endure?1 When will you judge those who persecute me?85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.86 All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.88 In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Lamedh 89 Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.91 By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.94 I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. Mem 97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.100 I understand more than the aged,2 for I keep your precepts.101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Footnotes [1] 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant? [2] 119:100 Or the elders (ESV) Evening: 1 Corinthians 4 1 Corinthians 4 (Listen) The Ministry of Apostles 4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,1 that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 14 I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless2 guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 That is why I sent3 you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ,4 as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? Footnotes [1] 4:6 Or brothers and sisters [2] 4:15 Greek you have ten thousand [3] 4:17 Or am sending [4] 4:17 Some manuscripts add Jesus (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 119:1–48 Psalm 119:1–48 (Listen) Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet Aleph 119 1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD!2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.28 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! Beth 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.12 Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!13 With my lips I declare all the rules3 of your mouth.14 In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Gimel 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules4 at all times.21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.22 Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.23 Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.24 Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors. Daleth 25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!26 When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!29 Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.31 I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!5 He 33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.634 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.35 Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.38 Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.39 Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.40 Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life! Waw 41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,45 and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,47 for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. Footnotes [1] 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter [2] 119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164 [3] 119:13 Or all the just decrees [4] 119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175 [5] 119:32 Or for you set my heart free [6] 119:33 Or keep it as my reward (ESV) Evening: 1 Corinthians 3 1 Corinthians 3 (Listen) Divisions in the Church 3 But I, brothers,1 could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? 5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. 10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled2 master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 16 Do you not know that you3 are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Footnotes [1] 3:1 Or brothers and sisters [2] 3:10 Or wise [3] 3:16 The Greek for you is plural in verses 16 and 17 (ESV)
Morning: Psalm 78 Psalm 78 (Listen) Tell the Coming Generation A Maskil1 of Asaph. 78 Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth!2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old,3 things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.4 We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children,6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children,7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;8 and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God. 9 The Ephraimites, armed with2 the bow, turned back on the day of battle.10 They did not keep God's covenant, but refused to walk according to his law.11 They forgot his works and the wonders that he had shown them.12 In the sight of their fathers he performed wonders in the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.13 He divided the sea and let them pass through it, and made the waters stand like a heap.14 In the daytime he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a fiery light.15 He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink abundantly as from the deep.16 He made streams come out of the rock and caused waters to flow down like rivers. 17 Yet they sinned still more against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert.18 They tested God in their heart by demanding the food they craved.19 They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness?20 He struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed. Can he also give bread or provide meat for his people?” 21 Therefore, when the LORD heard, he was full of wrath; a fire was kindled against Jacob; his anger rose against Israel,22 because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.23 Yet he commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven,24 and he rained down on them manna to eat and gave them the grain of heaven.25 Man ate of the bread of the angels; he sent them food in abundance.26 He caused the east wind to blow in the heavens, and by his power he led out the south wind;27 he rained meat on them like dust, winged birds like the sand of the seas;28 he let them fall in the midst of their camp, all around their dwellings.29 And they ate and were well filled, for he gave them what they craved.30 But before they had satisfied their craving, while the food was still in their mouths,31 the anger of God rose against them, and he killed the strongest of them and laid low the young men of Israel. 32 In spite of all this, they still sinned; despite his wonders, they did not believe.33 So he made their days vanish like3 a breath,4 and their years in terror.34 When he killed them, they sought him; they repented and sought God earnestly.35 They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer.36 But they flattered him with their mouths; they lied to him with their tongues.37 Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant.38 Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.39 He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.40 How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved him in the desert!41 They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel.42 They did not remember his power5 or the day when he redeemed them from the foe,43 when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.44 He turned their rivers to blood, so that they could not drink of their streams.45 He sent among them swarms of flies, which devoured them, and frogs, which destroyed them.46 He gave their crops to the destroying locust and the fruit of their labor to the locust.47 He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamores with frost.48 He gave over their cattle to the hail and their flocks to thunderbolts.49 He let loose on them his burning anger, wrath, indignation, and distress, a company of destroying angels.50 He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague.51 He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their strength in the tents of Ham.52 Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.53 He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.54 And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won.55 He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents. 56 Yet they tested and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep his testimonies,57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers; they twisted like a deceitful bow.58 For they provoked him to anger with their high places; they moved him to jealousy with their idols.59 When God heard, he was full of wrath, and he utterly rejected Israel.60 He forsook his dwelling at Shiloh, the tent where he dwelt among mankind,61 and delivered his power to captivity, his glory to the hand of the foe.62 He gave his people over to the sword and vented his wrath on his heritage.63 Fire devoured their young men, and their young women had no marriage song.64 Their priests fell by the sword, and their widows made no lamentation.65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep, like a strong man shouting because of wine.66 And he put his adversaries to rout; he put them to everlasting shame. 67 He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim,68 but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loves.69 He built his sanctuary like the high heavens, like the earth, which he has founded forever.70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds;71 from following the nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance.72 With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hand. Footnotes [1] 78:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term [2] 78:9 Hebrew armed and shooting [3] 78:33 Hebrew in [4] 78:33 Or vapor [5] 78:42 Hebrew hand (ESV) Evening: Romans 7 Romans 7 (Listen) Released from the Law 7 Or do you not know, brothers1—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.2 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.3 The Law and Sin 7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. Footnotes [1] 7:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 4 [2] 7:2 Greek law concerning the husband [3] 7:6 Greek of the letter (ESV)