Daily Bible Reading Podcast

LAMENTATIONS 1-2:In the early chapters of his book, Jeremiah spoke several times of his tears.  Lamentations will help us to understand how this ‘weeping prophet’ felt, and how God mourned also. This book has been a comfort to many who mourn. Light breaks through in the middle— in chapter 3, with words that are used in one of our greatest hymns. The book ends with poignant questions to God. PROVERBS 12a:A favorite verse to introduce today’s proverbs: 12 NLT Thieves are jealous of each other’s loot,but the godly are well rooted and bear their own fruit. Rereading EPHESIANS 1:This chapter has four instances of ‘joined in union’ with Christ. I want to give a note about how Paul calls the Ephesians “God’s holy people” (in the NLT), or in the KJV and the ESV it is ‘saints’. The problem with both of these ways of translating the Greek is that most of us Christians do not see ourselves as saints or ‘holy people’. In our translation work in Indonesia we found the same problem. The solution we found is to translate th

JEREMIAH 52:We come to the addendum to Jeremiah— seemingly written by someone else, perhaps Baruch. I commented yesterday how chapter 51 foreshadows Revelation 18. Jeremiah was prophesying the downfall of the real city of Babylon.What he foretold happened around 70 years later. His prophecy includes details about the enemies being from Media, about the drunkenness of the Babylon’s leaders, and God proclaims more than once that Babylon will become a desert for all time to come. The famous hanging gardens of Babylon would never be restored, even though Sadam Hussein wanted to see that happen. Observe how all this fits with a theme that runs all the way through Scripture: We see the City of Man going all through the Bible, represented by Babel, Nineveh, Babylon, Rome (figuratively called Babylon), and finally the Babylon in Revelation. Guess which city we are all living in (figuratively) today?! PROVERBS 11b:I’m going to repeat this today: An important thing about the book of Proverbs is that it contains princip

JEREMIAH 51:Today the Lord continues the long prophecy against Babylon. This chapter foreshadows what will happen to the figurative Babylon in Revelation 18. PROVERBS 11a:An important thing I didn’t mention before is that these proverbs represent principles, not promises. This particularly needs to be remembered for verses that talk about prosperity. There will be times, such as what Jeremiah experienced, when no amount of Godly living will bring us wealth. However, the principles hold true. 1JOHN 4.15—5:John has been giving us important keys that will unlock assurance and victory in our spiritual lives. This also will provide confidence and power in our prayers. NLT Translation notes:1Jn. 5:4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our [fully believing/faith]. 5And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.[Note that keeping the word as ‘believing’ allows us to understand the cohesion here.]6 And  Jesus Christ wa

JEREMIAH 50:Finally after hearing messages prophesying against so many nations, always telling or implying that the Babylonians would be God’s instrument to punish them, now this long chapter tells how Babylon will finally be judged as well, and God will return to take pity on Israel. PROVERBS 10b:Here is an example of Hebrew parallelism from today’s 2nd half of  Proverbs 10: Pro. 10:23 NLT Doing wrong is fun for a fool,but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. ‘Fool’ and ‘the sensible’ oppose each other. “Doing wrong is fun for a fool,” and it seems like ‘fun’ would only be temporary. Whereas the sensible who live wisely receive ‘pleasure’, which is much longer lasting than the ‘fun’ the fools get. 1JOHN 3:19—4:Chapter 3 of 1John circles around the theme of being children of God. There are important verses at the end of chapter 3 which can provide assurance and power when we pray. If our consciences do not condemn us— which is strongly related to living the way John has urged us in this chapter, the

JEREMIAH 48:In yesterday’s reading, the Lord began giving oracles about different nations, with one chapter concerning Egypt and the next one about Philistia. Today we’ll hear about Moab. PROVERBS 9:Today’s chapter is the last of the thematic chapters at the beginning of this book. Lady Wisdom speaks, and we find that she is opposed by Lady [Folly/Stupidity]. 1JOHN 2:John continues to address us as his dear children, and tells us things that we must know in order to be on guard and remain in fellowship with the Father and the Son. NLT Translation notes:Pro. 9:7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.[I think we might as well let Lady Wisdom speak all the way through here.]11 [I,] Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit.If you scorn [me,] wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.====1Jn. 2:6 Those who say they live in [unity, joined with] God should live their lives as Jesus did.9

JEREMIAH 46-47:After finally being able to give a comforting message (“Stay here in Judah and don't go to Egypt. The Lord will take care of you”), the people not only ran off to Egypt but took Jeremiah with them. (Or did he go along willingly?) Perhaps he thought that in Egypt the Lord's message to stop worshiping idols would have some traction. But again, alas... No. Then yesterday we heard the short special message to the official Baruch, Jeremiah’s faithful secretary. In today’s reading, the Lord begins giving oracles about different nations. PROVERBS 8b:Lady Wisdom continues to speak. 1JOHN 1:It is believed that John wrote this letter later in his life, somewhere between AD 85 and 95, and perhaps from Ephesus. He addresses everyone as his ‘children’. Like the emphasis of John’s gospel, this little book focuses on the word ‘believe’. And the word ‘know’ is used over 30 times in this short book. And it is because of that very word that this letter is famous for giving assurance— especially to any who have t

JEREMIAH 44-45:After all Jeremiah's messages of doom, he was able to give a comforting message to the Judeans who had been through so much. He might have thought, “At last I get to preach good news.” The Lord said through him, “I feel sorry for all you have had to suffer. Stay here. I will make the king of Babylon take pity on you. Don't fear the Babylonians.” That's the very thing the people had longed to hear for years. But even at this point, they break their promise and don’t listen to Jeremiah! After that, when he had been forcibly taken off to Egypt with the others, Jeremiah predicted that Nebuchadnezzar would come and defeat Egypt also.PROVERBS 8a:For the last two days we heard the wisdom of a father to his sons. Today Lady Wisdom speaks.1CORINTHIANS 16:Yesterday we finished the Resurrection Chapter, and today we see glimpses of the life of the early church through Paul’s final words. NLT Translation note:1Cor. 16:10 When Timothy comes, [please] don’t intimidate him. He is doing the Lord’s work, just a

JEREMIAH 36-37:In yesterday's reading in Jeremiah, he gave more specific warnings to King Zedekiah. And then we heard of the inspiring example of the Recabites. PROVERBS 4b:Yesterday in the first half of chapter 4, we heard again about Lady Wisdom. I highlight these important words: Prov. 4:7 GNT Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight.10 Listen to me, my child. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. 11 I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. 12 Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run. Solomon introduces some of these words saying that he was taught them by his father, which would be, of course, King David. It is interesting to consider that we could be hearing some of David's wisdom in those verses. 1CORINTHIANS 13:Spiritual gifts are important! They are sovereignly given by the Holy Spirit. We will be happiest and the most productive in our ministries when we function

JEREMIAH 34-35:In yesterday’s reading, Jeremiah bought a field according to the Lord’s instructions. Under the circumstances, that seemed a futile thing to do. He prayed, and the Lord used the situation as a backdrop for wonderful promises to the nation of Israel. In chapter 33:3 we heard a frequently quoted verse which says, Jer. 33:3 NLT Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. Please do NOT rip a verse like this out of context and then boast that you have become a prophet like Jeremiah. There are some wonderful verses in God’s Word that we should be very careful about ‘claiming’ as applying to us. See what the ‘remarkable secrets’ ‘about things to come’ are by re-reading that chapter!  I highlighted a verse earlier in Jeremiah where the coming Righteous King was named, ‘The Lord Our Salvation.’ In yesterday’s reading it was the city of Jerusalem that is so named. Jer. 33:16 NLT In that day Judah will be savedand Jerusalem will live in safety.And this will be [Jeru

JEREMIAH 32-33:In yesterday’s reading we heard some of Jeremiah’s most important words: Jer. 31:33-34 NLT … this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD.“I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. … I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” When you think about it, what God has always wanted is rather simple: He would like to be our God, and He would like us to be— and act like, His people. PROVERBS 3b:Let’s read verses 5-8 as a reminder, because these represent the core of Proverbs. Proverbs 3:5‭-‬8 NLT 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. 7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. 1CORINTHIANS 11:In chapter

JEREMIAH 30-31:Yesterday we heard more of Jeremiah’s struggle against false prophets. And now so many centuries later, in our day, the false message is what people desire to hear, even though the truth is actually better for us and much better for our preparation.  There is an often quoted verse from yesterday’s reading. I think it is good to bear in mind that this was NOT spoken to the Jews left behind in Israel's land, but was part of the letter to the exiles in Babylon.  Jer. 29:11 NLT For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. I think it is great to pray to the Lord and ask that He would treat you the same way as the exiles in Babylon. I don’t think it is good to rip this verse out of context and claim it as applying directly to you. However, regarding our future and hope, and how God listens to us when we pray, there are many other verses, especially in the New Testamen

JEREMIAH 28-29:In yesterday's reading we moved from more poetic content to the story of Jeremiah being opposed by priests, other prophets, and royal officials. Remember that God has promised that he will protect Jeremiah in the face of opposition, and this certainly was put to the test. At the end of yesterday's reading, we heard how Jeremiah prophesied that more valuable articles would be taken away from the Temple, and that they would be brought back eventually. When we read the book of Ezra, we will hear that this prophecy was fulfilled. PROVERBS 2: Yesterday's reading in Proverbs contained the first speech of Lady Wisdom, the personification of God's wisdom. Not every language uses personification, and one that never uses personification  is Indonesian. In translating Proverbs into Indonesian, we needed to say, “Wisdom is like a teacher who does x, y, and z.” Even in English, it can seem strange when Wisdom builds a house, calls out to people who pass by, and does other human actions. 1CORINTHIANS 9:In 1

JEREMIAH 26-27:In yesterday’s reading, some important points were revealed: The people the Lord was about to send into exile to the North would return to Him wholeheartedly and God would bring them back to their land. God would put it into their hearts to return to him! Those remaining in the land at the point of exile and their king would be scattered, cursed, and vanish. The exiles would come back after 70 years, and afterward Babylon would have its turn to be punished and would remain a ruin forever— as in fact it is! That 70 year time was important to the prophet Daniel when he discovered it when reading this book! PROVERBS 1:In  our poetry readings this year, we started with Job, then Psalms, and now we enter the wisdom literature with Proverbs. Solomon wrote and compiled these proverbs around the year 950 BC, in the height of Israel’s golden age. We will hear the theme statement of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes today in verse 7 (NLT), “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge.” There is a clear

JEREMIAH 24-25:A stunning prophecy was given in yesterday's reading: Jer. 23:5-6 NLT “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant* from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. 6 And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’* In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety. How amazing it is that this identity of ‘The Lord Our Salvation/Righteousness’ is specifically linked with the Righteous Descendant— whom we now know is Jesus!  Yesterday's reading, from chapter 23, verse 33 contains an interesting command about not calling the Lord's message a ‘burden’. Note that in the Hebrew this is a play on words using the word ‘burden’ which can also mean ‘message’. In other words, the people ask, “What is the Lord’s message(meaning 2)” and Jeremiah is told to reply, “You are the burden(meaning 1).” Some Christian leaders today would do well to note God’s angry statements ab

JEREMIAH 23:In yesterday's reading, we heard how king Zedekiah sent two men to Jeremiah to ask him for help to pray for a miracle. And God made it ever so clear that no miracle of deliverance would be given. Jeremiah repeatedly tells the king what he needs to do, but Zedekiah just couldn’t bring himself to do it. The area of giving justice was especially prominent in yesterday's readings. PSALM 149:We old saints should not despise all of the new songs of the young saints. Yet I totally understand the desire to avoid change.  Here we see that Scripture commands that we sing new songs. And this whole psalm can be taken as a prelude to what we will see in the book of Revelation. 1CORINTHIANS 6:A few days ago I challenged you to find out what was special about the quote in John 19 about none of Jesus’ bones being broken. In yesterday’s reading in 1Corinthians 5, we heard several metaphors relating to that based on Jesus being our Passover Lamb. And now as we start chapter 6, we have a chapter break at the right p

JEREMIAH 21-22:These verses from Jeremiah 20 have been often quoted as a reason for memorizing Scripture: Jer. 20:9 NLT But if I say I’ll never mention the LORDor speak in his name,his word burns in my heart like a fire.It’s like a fire in my bones!I am worn out trying to hold it in!I can’t do it! Remember the priest Pashur who put Jeremiah in stocks. The Passhur that time was the son of Immer. Today it is evidently a different Passhur who visits Jeremiah, the son of Malchiah. PSALM 148:The ending psalms just keep getting more and more exuberant in praise  1CORINTHIANS 4:14—5:13Paul is about to drop a bombshell in chapter 5, and it is good to see the transition from chapter 4.  NLT Translation notes:1Cor. 5:2 You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove [that/this] man from your fellowship.3 Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on [that/this] man 5 Then you mus

JEREMIAH 17-18:One catches so clearly how trapped Jeremiah was in the time of God’s judgment, and how hot God’s anger was against Judah. Jeremiah’s audience would not have appreciated him telling them where the Lord said they could ‘go’! No wonder he so often weeps and cries out in despair. God’s verdict in 15:2, which shows his sovereign choices, is repeated in Revelation:  Jer. 15:1 Then the Lord said to me, “Even if Moses and Samuel were standing here pleading with me, I would not show these people any mercy. Make them go away; make them get out of my sight. 2 When they ask you where they should go, tell them that I have said:Some are doomed to die by disease—that's where they will go!Others are doomed to die in war—that's where they will go!Some are doomed to die of starvation—that's where they will go!Others are doomed to be taken away as prisoners—that's where they will go! PSALM 146:This is the first of five Hallelujah psalms. In the GNT, ‘hallelujah’ is translated, “Praise the Lord.” 1CORINTHIANS 3:Th

JEREMIAH 15-16:Yesterday the dialog between the Lord and Jeremiah continued. We heard of the drought. And the Lord forbid Jeremiah to pray for the people of Judah. PSALM 145:This is an acrostic psalm in Hebrew, and it gives us a great place to start when praising God. 1CORINTHIANS 1:18—2:Let’s not allow the chapter division here to interrupt what Paul teaches us about God’s wisdom! So let’s start reading in chapter 1 verse 18. NLT Translation note:Jer. 15:2And if they say to you, ‘But where can we go?’ tell them, ‘This is what the LORD says:“‘Those who are destined for death, will die;those who are destined for war, [will die in//to] war;those who are destined for famine, [will die in//to] famine;those who are destined for captivity, [will die in//to] captivity.’====1Cor. 2:2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, [and the fact that He//he one who] was crucified.6 Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom t

JEREMIAH 13-14:In yesterday’s reading, Jeremiah complained to the Lord, 12:1 “Lord, if I argued my case with you,you would [be shown//prove] to be right.Yet I must question you about matters of justice.Why are the wicked so prosperous?Why do dishonest people succeed? And the Lord replied in an answer that bears reading in context and needs some thinking about, “Jeremiah, if you get tired racing against people,how can you race against horses?If you can't even stand up in open country,how will you manage in the jungle by the Jordan? PSALM 144:This poem is quite a contrast with what we have just heard in Jeremiah. This is the joyful prayer of a king who is leading his people according to the will of God. 1Corinthians 1:In Paul’s day, Corinth was a metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea with a population of between one hundred and fifty thousand and three hundred thousand Roman citizens and about 460,000 slaves. There was evidently a healthy criminal population, and the city was a center of banking, so there were in

JEREMIAH 11-12:Yesterday we heard important verses in chapter 9:23-24, verses that Paul quotes more than once:  “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom,or the powerful boast in their power,or the rich boast in their riches.But those who wish to boastshould boast in this alone:that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD … PSALM 143:It seems that prayer is very neglected these days. Oh yes, we might hear something vague about praying for victims right after some tragedy strikes. But it seems that every church has trouble keeping a prayer meeting going. I myself have trouble keeping my prayer life going. David shows in this psalm that he has learned secrets of effective prayer. Note how his prayer is very like how Jeremiah felt in the two chapters we just read. JOHN 21:This is one of my favorite chapters. John again tells us important information not given in the other gospels. Note that there is a famous exegetical fallacy here. John does use two different words for ‘love’ in the dialog between