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

Judges 7 – Patient Nurturing

With 32,000 men in his army, Gideon had still needed the reassurance of the fleece to be confident enough to act. Since God had chosen Gideon in all his weakness, the LORD was gentle with his servant’s feeble faith. Having reduced Gideon’s army down to just 300 men, he then further encouraged Gideon by sending him into the Midianite camp to eavesdrop on the panicky fear among the enemy troops. Emboldened, Gideon engaged the enemy and then called for reinforcements to finish Midian off. Gideon was the agent, but the victory was the LORD’s. Faced with our own challenges, we draw comfort from how much of this chapter is devoted to God’s patient nurturing of Gideon.

Lord Jesus, your apostles were so faithless and headstrong for so long, yet you taught and refined them into your own likeness. You know my weaknesses and sinful tendencies, and your patient grace fills me with faith and hope. Lord, lead me on in your righteous ways.

New Testament and Psalms - 1

Acts 11 – “Christians”

The Holy Spirit is drilling a lesson home to us readers by repeating the account of Gentile Cornelius and his household receiving the Holy Spirit – even repentance resulting in life. Underlying it further still, we read of Antioch with its range of Jewish and Gentile believers. All are saved by faith in Christ, and all receive the same Holy Spirit. Antioch becomes a crucial fixture in Acts precisely because it’s not a Jewish city. What should its believers be called? The Way? A pseudo-Jewish sect? Jew and Gentile are one in Christ and proclaim him. They’re happy to take his name.

Lord Jesus Christ, it’s fitting that we should be publicly known as yours. We’re not defined by law or creed but by the salvation you have granted. I pray for the Spirit’s help to live a life worthy of the name “Christian.”

Old Testament - 2

Jeremiah 20 – Fire Burning in my Heart

Chapters 11 to 20 chart Jeremiah’s personal dealings with God as he fulfils his role of God’s prophet. His graphic potter/pot imagery landed him in stocks at the temple, seemingly making a mockery of his preaching. Such excruciating humiliation underpins the last of his six laments to the LORD in v7-18. Once again, Jeremiah holds nothing back in his raw prayer. He feels he can’t win since he suffers from people if he preaches but suffers within if he doesn’t (v9-10). Although Jeremiah knows that God is worth our “Hallelujahs” (v13), he still feels the sharpness of rejection and shame. He is a shadow of the man of sorrows to come, though Jesus’ loving purpose never drove him to self-pity.

Saviour, if I’m honest I rarely experience the need to tell others your gospel as a fire burning in my heart. Forgive me for my sloth and dullness of spirit. Holy Spirit, show me more of the grace that has been extended to me in Christ so that I might be more fervent in sharing it with others.

New Testament and Psalms - 2

Mark 6 – The Good Shepherd

The disciples went out preaching a message of repentance and doing wonders in Jesus’ name. They were prepared by Jesus to expect some rejection, just as Jesus himself had in his own home town. The execution of John the Baptist is a shocking reminder of just how much people naturally hate being told of their sin – we prefer our own morality over God’s. Jesus, in the compassion of the Good Shepherd he is (v34), served up a better feast than Herod. Ezekiel 34 condemns rulers like Herod and promises that God will come as a Good Shepherd. If the disciples realised Jesus’ deity, they would not have been so shocked when he walked on water!

Lord Jesus, Great Good Shepherd of your sheep, you graciously prepare us for the works you give us to do, enabling us as you work through us. Forgive me my failings, please. Thank you for your great compassion; lead me as you have promised all my days through.

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