Dave Miller's 2025 Bible Reading Challenge

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   2 Samuel 1-4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     2 Samuel opens in the aftermath of Saul's death. David is elevated to king immediately by the people of Judah, but the northern tribes dither and support Saul's son Ish-Bosheth. David continues to behave in an honorable and decent way, but we see the evil and subterfuge of Joab, David's general, in securing the throne. Daily Devotional:   That's Not Normal It isn't clear whether the young Amalekite of 2 Samuel 1 was giving David the inside story of the death of Saul or w...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     All of today's readings are songs of ascents. That means that they were sung as the people of Israel scaled the hill and then the steps leading from the Pool of Siloam, up to the Temple Mount, then up into the Courtyard. These songs prepared the people to worship and brought them into the presence of God remembering his goodness. Daily Devotional:   "Ascending to God's Presence The trek would start at the Pool of Siloam, at the lower end of Jerusalem, the ...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Samuel 28-31, Psalm 18 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     In this passage, we see the decline and fall of Saul, Israel's first king. He began with such potential but failed to obey God carefully and then became increasingly paranoid as he realized that God had withdrawn his blessing and given it to David. In chapters 29 and 30, David's favor with the Philistines runs out, and he ends up at war with them. The first few verses of chapter 30 is one of my favorite passages. David returns from battle and finds his villag...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Psalm 17, 35, 54, 63 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     These Psalms continue David's prayers for deliverance and victory against the enemies who surrounded him. In Psalm 35, David calls out for the power of God to overwhelm his opponents. We may not be comfortable with the force of David's prayer in the light of the later teachings of Jesus to love our enemies, but we must remember that the Bible teaches that when we serve God, we count on him for protection. He is the one who defeats our foes. Daily Devotional:   Wa...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   1 Samuel 25-27 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     One of the Hebrew words for fool is nabal, and this Nabal certainly lived up to his name. (Or perhaps the word is based on his behavior?) Abigail's husband refuses to help David, blustering about David's outlaw status. Abigail intervenes, showing herself to be a woman of wisdom. When the drunken Nabal sobered up and realized what he'd done, he died suddenly, and Abigail became one of David's wives. Chapter 26 tells of David once again sparing Saul's life - returning good fo...

  Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2026 This year, we will read the Bible chronologically, as it happened, instead of simply reading from Genesis to Revelation.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New.  Bible Readings :   Psalm 56, 120, 140-142 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today, we read 5 more of David's psalms written during the time of suffering and pain when Saul sought his life. We live in a time of attacks, personal, political, theological, physical, and verbal. It is a violent day. David learned much about how to live for the glory of God when the whole world was pursuing him.  Daily Devotional:   When Evil Men Attack I know better, but still, I get it wrong! I seek God and walk in obedience to him, and my expectation...