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 :   Judges 1-5 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Having divided up the tribal land, Israel failed to drive out the inhabitants as they were commanded to, and the result was a terrible cycle of spiritual drift, catastrophe, revival, and renewed drift. Chapter 2 explains the cycle, and the rest of the book covers the stories of the judges who led Israel back to God. There are 12 judges, but the book focuses on 7. Throughout the duration of this book, there is a downward moral spiral that results in Israel's lowest point in its ...

  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 :   Joshua 19-24 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     As the inheritance is distributed to each tribe, we begin to see the fact that the tribes are failing to drive out the inhabitants from their areas. They may subdue them, but they do not drive them out. Those inhabitants would eventually come back to haunt them. The book of Joshua ends with a powerful covenant renewal, in which Joshua leads the people to recommit themselves to faithful obedience to God. Daily Devotional:   Why Can't I Do As I Please Why can't I just do 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 :   Joshua 13-18 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We begin, in today's reading, the division of the land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The boundaries can be fairly dry reading - I'd encourage you to keep a map beside you as you read. The most interesting part of this to me is Caleb's request in chapter 14 to have a hill to conquer in his old age. May his tribe increase. Daily Devotional:   A Hill to Conquer Inerrancy requires that I believe that Scripture accurately records what Caleb says in Joshua 14:10-11, but I...

  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 :   Joshua 9-12 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There are three major thrusts in the Conquest of Canaan. First, there is the Southern Campaign. After Jericho and Ai, Israel fought the Battle of the Five Kings, recorded in today's reading, famous for the sun standing still. Then there was the Northern Campaign, recorded in chapters 11-12, along with a summary. The third section, which takes up most of the rest of the book, is what I call "Divide and Conquer." Each of the tribes is given a section of land to conquer. It is he...

  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 :   Joshua 5-8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     One of the great stories of the Bible, the Battle of Jericho, is in today's reading. There was the encounter with the Captain of the Lord's army, who gave Joshua the plan. He then went back and reported the plan to the leaders of Israel. Can you imagine their response? Walk around 13 times? Are you nuts? The key was obedience! And persistence! And God brought the walls down. Then, sinful and arrogant Israel faced defeat at Ai, a ruined town which may have been the only time in ...

  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 :   Joshua 1-4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Joshua's early chapters carry some riveting stories. Joshua begins with the eponymous character's establishment as the leader of Israel. He then guides the people through the Jordan at flood stage into the Promised Land. The crossing of the Jordan is a great story of faith. Remember, it was flood stage, and God said that he would only stop the river once they stepped in. Step in first, then God does his work! Faith precedes the miracle. We often want to sit back and say, "God, ...

  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 :   Deuteronomy 30-34, Psalm 90 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading is about transitions. Moses has led Israel from the moment God sent him from the Burning Bush, and now it is his time to die. Joshua has been beside him for 40 years, and it is his time to take over. This is going to be tough, but God guides his people through it. We also have our first psalm, Psalm 90, a prayer of Moses.  Daily Devotional:  Irreplaceable? Back in 2005, I did not understand why God was moving me from the church I thoug...

  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 :   Deuteronomy 24-29 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The lengthy section giving the "Second Law" continues as it has in our last several days of readings. But the key thought here is the ceremony on Gerizim and Ebal, in which the choice of blessing or curses is given. A note - when we think of "curse," it conjures vivid ideas, but we ought to think more of God's discipline and the consequences of sin. Daily Devotional:   Life Is Choices Life is a journey in the valley between Mt. Gerizim and Mt. Ebal. In Deu...

  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 :   Deuteronomy 18-23 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The expansion of the law of God continues. As you read these laws, look for the character quality of God behind the law. We may not be under the law, but our God does not change. Daily Devotional:   Enemies Too Big! Quite a pep talk God gave Israel through Moses in Deuteronomy 20:1-4. "Your enemies are always going to be bigger than you! Aren't we supposed to tell people that God won't give them more than they can handle? Aren't we supposed to motivate them to victo...

  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 :   Deuteronomy 14-17 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The expansion of the laws of Israel continues in these chapters, with a wide variety of topics, all of which we have seen previously. Idolatry. Cleanliness. Feasts. Tithes. Canceling debts. Daily Devotional:   Under the Law "We are not under the law but under grace." I am thankful for that every day - and if I am not, I should be. We understand that our relationship with God is a product of the work of Christ, not our merit or good works. He paid it all. Too often, ...

  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 :   Deuteronomy 9-13 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     These chapters focus on a pure heart, a devoted heart - one that is faithful to God. It speaks of what God requires and of Israel's covenant renewal with God. Daily Devotional:   He Earned Our Love Why should I obey God? Why should I love him? Why should I turn my back on my own desires, my own ambitions, my own will, and give myself wholly and completely to God? The Israelites asked themselves this question repeatedly. Why should we love and serve 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 :   Deuteronomy 5-8 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading reviews the giving of the Ten Commandments and highlights the most important aspect of it - total loyalty to God. Chapter 6:4 has the well-known Shema - the call to worship that was Israel's affirmation for generations. Daily Devotional:   With All My Heart Deuteronomy 6 is one of the foundational passages of the Old Testament. It begins with the "Shema Y'israel" (Hear, O Israel), in 6:4, and follows with what Jesus identified as the greatest comm...

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 :   Deuteronomy 1-4 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Deuteronomy means "second law." It is Moses' recounting of the faithfulness of God to Israel from the Exodus throughout the wilderness wanderings, at the end of the forty years. It highlights the key aspects of the law. Daily Devotional:   Review and Remember Deuteronomy is a favorite book of mine because I take a lot of teasing about how often I "review" and repeat my teachings. The whole book is one long review. Moses, at the end of his life, just before he would...

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 :   Numbers 31-36 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     We wrap up our reading of Numbers today with another difficult reading. Chapter 31 tells of a war with Midian, and then the journeys of Israel are recounted in detail. The boundaries of the Promised Land are spelled out - far larger than modern Israel. Then we read of the founding of the cities of refuge, and the inheritance of Zelophehad's daughters is finally given. Israel did not have courts. When a crime was committed, the family of the victim exacted revenge. The cities of ref...

  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.  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 :   Numbers 26-30 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading begins with the second census that takes place toward the end of the 40 years in the wilderness. In chapter 27, the i...

  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 :   Numbers 21-25 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The first story we encounter here is that of the bronze serpent, which was lifted up to protect the Israelites from the poisonous serpents that were coming against them. The symbolism is strong there. The serpent attacking? Pretty obvious, isn't it? Satan's attacks are venomous. And as the serpent was lifted up for the salvation of the people. Christ was lifted up for us. The story of Balaam and his attempt to curse the Israelites covers chapters 22-24. In chapter 25, the Mo...