Daily Notes

The daily notes in the tabs below will help you as you make your way through the Bible day by day.

They’re based on the Robert Murray M’Cheyne Bible reading schedule, with a slight variation in line with the YouVersion Bible App.

Old Testament - 1

2 Samuel 4 & 5 – Throne Secured

The hold that Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, had on Israel was weak and fading, and his murder by Rechab and Baanah was hardly heroic. They expected David’s delight as they claimed the LORD’s victory (4:8), but in their public execution David was able to clear his own name of any involvement. The result is Chapter 5, a collection of records of events describing how David came to be king over the whole nation – Judah in the south and Israel (the other tribes) in the north. He finally ousted the Jebusites and set up Jerusalem as an ideal seat of national power. He also secured significant victory over the Philistines through careful obedience to the LORD. The cloud on this sunny day is in v13-16: Women were his weakness.

Lord Jesus, reigning in splendour, it’s good to know that you are a king with no weakness of character, no flaws at all. Help me to me aware of my weaknesses, and to do right and put right every day in your name.

New Testament and Psalms - 1

1 Corinthians 15 – Man of Heaven

Christians are to shun evil, put up with hardships, and suffer rejection in the name of Jesus. What a joyless existence that would be if we ceased at death. But, just as Christ is raised so too all his people will be raised to be like him – bodies without failing sight or hearing, with limbs that don’t break or ache, and skin without lesion or blemish. Incorruptible, eternal, physical, spiritual bodies – like Jesus, the firstborn from the dead. What a comfort this is as we age and fall ill. What a prospect as we grieve the world and mourn our lost. Truly, we are raised with Christ.

Lord Jesus, we are conscious of death and decay every day all around us. It’s hard to imagine not changing, ageing or decaying. You must be so glorious to see! And you are breathtakingly gracious to grant such hope to a sinner such as me.

Old Testament - 2

Ezekiel 13 – False Prophets

There’s a particular kind of wickedness in portraying spiritual realities in a falsely secure way. Some in Israel were prophesying “’peace’ when there is no peace” (v10), and making things look far more rosy than they really were (rather like whitewashing a wall to cover up decay). The danger is that the seriousness of sin is played down and the gracious warnings of God’s calls to repentance go unheeded. Who goes to God for forgiveness if they believe they’ve not sinned? Sadly, exactly this kind of false hope is found in many places today, giving a false sense that all will be peace even for those who have denied and rejected God all their lives. We must know and live out the truth.

Living God of truth, I don’t claim to have a perfect knowledge of all that you have revealed in your word, but I thank you for what you have enabled me to grasp: I have sinned against you, but in love and grace Jesus has been punished in my place. Lord, help me make such good news known to others.

New Testament and Psalms - 2

Psalms 52-54 – Opposition All Round

Anyone seeking to live a life wholly pleasing to God will face opposition at some point. As Psalm 53 reminds us (and Romans 3, quoting it), it’s counter-cultural to live a life of truthfulness, prayer, kindness, or even contentedness. Society is wired against peace with God. That means we will sometimes experience direct opposition from individuals (as Psalm 52) or even whole groups of people (as Psalm 54). These psalms remind us (a) opposition is normal, (b) doing good can actually attract trouble, (c) in all circumstances we can and should trust in God. God will help us in the present and wholly redeem us in the future, and the Risen Christ is our certainty in everything.

Faithful God, this world is as opposed to you as it ever was, finding new ways to express its rebellion. Lord, I trust you. Help me and strengthen me as I seek to do good and to live a life pleasing to you. Lord, I need you.

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