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

Numbers 19 – Red Cow’s Ashes

All these rebellions against the LORD and his appointed leaders led to much death in the camp. That meant many bodies and funerals, and since touching a dead body made someone ceremonially unclean there was a constant need to restore people to a clean state. Only when clean could they live normally in the camp and approach the tabernacle for worship. The “water for impurity” produced from the ashes of the red cow enabled potentially large numbers of people to be cleansed after, for example, a time of plague or battle. That such a measure was needed demonstrates the unavoidability of death, while also highlighting God’s grace even in the face of judgments.

Gracious God, death is still a gloom hanging over all humanity. It’s comforting to know that Jesus has conquered death and that despite this judgment on us you have given us life in your Son. Help me to bring such hope to others.

New Testament and Psalms - 1

Psalms 56 & 57 – Above the heavens

Both psalms begin, “Be gracious to me, God.” In Psalm 56, David is surrounded by enemies in Goliath’s home town. In Psalm 57, he’s hiding from Saul in a cave. In each case, David’s thoughts and language soar far beyond his immediate situation, confident that the God who is exalted above the heavens will save him. “God is for me,” writes David (Psalm 56:9), leading Paul later to ask, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). Paul also saw Psalm 57:9 fulfilled as the gospel of Christ is now the praise of us Gentiles. Jesus is the theme of our songs, praises, and joys the world over.

O God, how you have answered David’s prayer, “Be gracious to me”! You have given us Jesus, our great hope and saviour. As I find myself in difficult times, remind me that you are for me, graciously strengthening me with the encouragement of my sympathetic High Priest. I will praise you, Lord.

Old Testament - 2

Isaiah 8:1-9:7 – A Light Has Dawned

King Ahaz’s Judah was under threat from Damascus in Aram (Syria) and Samaria in Israel. We know from 2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28 that, rather than trust in the LORD, Ahaz asked the Assyrian empire for help. Here in v1-8 the LORD says that Assyria will indeed come like a flood from the North, bringing gloom and affliction starting at Galilee and working South, with Judah “up to the neck” in trouble (v8). There’s a call to fear the LORD only (v13-14), even when trouble comes. Why? Because he will cause a light to shine in the gloom, starting at Galilee (9:1-2), bringing a surprising deliverance more powerful than Gideon’s over Midian (v4, Judges 7). Verses 6-7 are one of the Old Testament’s highest descriptions of Christ, worthy of deep meditation.

Holy Jesus, Eternal Son, you became that child. The government of the universe is on your shoulders, and your reign over us is good. Forgive me that am so often as untrusting in you as Ahaz was, and help me to know you in your splendour and glory every day.

New Testament and Psalms - 2

James 2 – Faith Works in Love

The end of James 1 emphasises the need to put Bible truth into practice and v26-27 has the three themes James will unpack in the rest of the letter: Mind your tongue, love the vulnerable, pursue holiness. So James 2 speaks against showing favouritism and disadvantaging the poor. We need reminding of it as it reflects how we dress, speak, and welcome people at church. Loving your neighbour is a theologically rich and highly practical command. If you have faith in Christ then you are alive in him and he in you, so it’s inconceivable that you completely fail to do good works. If you’re saved by faith, the evidence will be seen in good works.

Lord Jesus, I thank you for your gift of faith and the ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. I can see that I am not what I once was or what I would have become without you. Forgive my ongoing lack of love, and my inherent biases and favouritism – even in charity and evangelism. Help me to love as you love, that others would experience your love through me.

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