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.

New Testament and Psalms - 1

Psalm 36 – Life and Light

This psalm is a beautiful model for prayer where the petition of v10-12 is grounded in the nature of God. The description of the wicked in v1-4 is applied in Romans 3:18 to all humanity – small-minded and cold-hearted in denial of God. Verses 5-6 provide a spectacular view of our Creator in his glorious steadfast love, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments. This God is intimately involved with his Creation (v7-9) precisely because of who he is as giver of life and light. On this basis, David prays confidently for God’s steadfast love and righteousness to him, and for the defeat of wickedness. Our light and life is Christ, and in him we pray.

Heavenly Father, great Creator and Sustainer, thank you for you intimate love extended to me, a sinner. Thank you for the life of Christ which is light to us, our only hope of life with you. I pray, Lord, that your kingdom would extend as you call lost people to yourself – including my unsaved family and friends.

Old Testament - 1

Numbers 2 – Military Stance

The specific arrangement of the tribes makes it clear that this was a military camp. While the men had been counted for the army, the whole camp had roles to play in the battles to come – just as all Christians are involved in spiritual warfare today. Since the tabernacle’s entrance was on the eastern side, this was the “front” of the camp. That made Judah the lead tribe. While that’s probably because it was the largest by soldier count, we can’t help but remember that Jacob had prophesied kings in Judah’s line in Genesis 49. Above all, this new perspective on the camp reveals to us the extent to which God was among his people: He was the absolute centre of society both physically and spiritually.

Living God, when you are at the centre of your people we are, of course, invincible. When you are for us, who can be against us? Forgive me, Lord, that I’m often quick to see problems larger than they are, forgetting the Spirit within and the Son ahead and beside me. Help me to stand.

New Testament and Psalms - 2

Philemon – Consistent Christianity

Some of the people mentioned in this letter are also mentioned in Colossians. Onesimus probably delivered both letters from Paul at the same time – one to the church and one to Philemon. It seems Onesimus had been Philemon’s slave, but he’d been useless (v11) and then stolen and run away (v18). As we are forgiven by God, so we are to forgive. That means absorbing the cost of the offence and working for complete reconciliation. It’s easy to put on a face to convince others, but it can be hard to forgive in private. Paul tells Philemon to “welcome” Onesimus as if he were Paul – warm and hospitable, loving and friendly. Our faith in private is to be as real as it seems to be in public.

Faithful God, who never leaves me nor forsakes me, and who knows my heart and mind better than I know myself, you are gracious indeed to forgive me so completely and to welcome me as a much-loved child. Help me to forgive as I have been forgiven and to be yours in private as I’m perceived to be in public.