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 :   Psalms 25, 28, 33, 36, 39 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     More Psalms of David, calling out to God. David's songs express his heart, his emotions - everything he is going through directly to God. When life overwhelmed him, he did not complain to others; he took his pain and hurt to the source of healing, the Creator God who loved him.  Daily Devotional:   My Strength and Shield Two things come to mind when you consider the life of David, the Psalmist. First, from the moment he was accosted by and ano...

  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 7, 1 Chronicles 17 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     There are four great covenants in the Old Testament. The Noahic covenant was made after the flood, when God set the rainbow as a sign of his promise not to flood the earth in his wrath ever again. The Abrahamic covenant gave Israel the land, promised them descendants, and ensured God's blessings until the end of time. The Mosaic covenant, based on the Ten Commandments, obligated Israel to follow God's law to receive his daily blessings. And now, the Davidic Cov...

  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 89, 96, 100-101, 105, 132 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today, we read more Psalms, mostly Psalms of David, about worshiping the faithful God. Daily Devotional:   Faithful, but Holy The lengthy Psalm 89 trumpets the faithfulness of our God - a faithfulness we experience by grace, even though we don't deserve it. In verses 30-34, we learn two important lessons. First, it is a serious thing to take God's faithfulness lightly and use it as an excuse to sin. The fact that God is so good, so forgiving, so faithf...

  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 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The Psalms we read today are powerful! They seem to have a dual meaning, pointing both to God's grace and care in suffering and to a messianic hope. Psalm 1 speaks of a life planted in faithful obedience. Psalm 2 highlights the false confidence of those who trust in self and who think that men run this world. God's sovereignty is glorified. Psalm 15 describes the man who can dwell in God's presence. This is not a path to salvation by works, but a description o...

  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 5:11-6:23, 1 Chronicles 13-16 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The ark had originally been lost and then, when it was returned, was not brought all the way back. When David tried to bring it back, there was a problem. He did not follow the rules set forth in the law, and a man named Uzzah died. He tried again, following God's rules carefully, and there was great rejoicing. Daily Devotional:  Michal's Children 2 Samuel 6:23 makes a strong statement, which in context seems to carry a warning of judgment....

  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 106-107, 133 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Psalm 106 is a recounting of two things - the ongoing faithfulness of God and the constant infidelity of Israel. God's goodness despite Israel's sin is highlighted. Psalm 107 begins the last of the 5 "Books" of the Psalms, recounting the goodness and faithfulness of God. Psalm 133, another Psalm of Ascent, emphasizes the unity of God's people. Daily Devotional:  A Bad Deal They made a calf in Horeb     and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged 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 :   2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The anointed king of Israel is finally recognized by all of God's people. The short Samuel passage records the end of the brief civil war between Judah under David's leadership and the northern tribes of Israel. Though they united under David, the split never completely disappeared, and after Solomon's death, they became separate countries. We also have the story of David's conquest of Jerusalem, which became known as the City of David. In 1 Chronicles ...

  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 Chronicles 7-10, Psalm 102-104 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today, we wrap up the scintillating trek through the genealogies of 1 Chronicles! Chapter 10 records the story of Saul's death. Our Psalms are again focused on turning to God in difficult times. Daily Devotional:   God Laughs at Conspiracy Theories He was making the rounds back in my college days, talking about the "Illuminati" - the cabal of witches and warlocks he'd once been a part of who secretly ran the entire world. The story was terrifying and ...

  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 Chronicles 6, Psalm 81, 88, 92-93 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The odd thing in today's reading - in the genealogies in Chronicles, we see in 6:33 the mention of Heman who is a singer and then we see Psalm 88 attributed to someone by that same name. He was likely the same man and part of the Sons of Korah who helped in the worship in God's house. One of the things we see in the Psalms and in the commands of Scripture about music is the tremendous variety of biblical music. Some are loud; some are soft. Some is...

  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 Chronicles 3-5, Psalm 73, 77-78 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's Psalms are clearly related to the lives mentioned in the genealogy. God worked in the generations of Israel to accomplish his works. Daily Devotional:  For the Generations There is an old saw that says, "The Church is always one generation from extinction." The thing is, this one is true. Christianity must not only be passed from person to person but from generation to generation. The children God gives to the families of the church must be r...

  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 Chronicles 1-2, Psalm 43, 45, 49,81-85, 87 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     These psalms introduce us to two of the major music guilds during David's time. Twelve psalms are attributed to Asaph, 50, and 72-82. Asaph was both a Levite and a prophet - some of his Psalms have a prophetic, even imprecatory tone. Most of his psalms touch on the theme of the judgment of God and seem to be designed for use in formal settings. The Sons of Korah led out in choral and orchestral music in the Tabernacle and were responsible for e...

  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 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Several of these Psalms are addressed to the choir director or some other official, showing that no longer is David a refugee hiding in the wilderness calling out for God to protect him from his foes, but now he is the king who is in charge of the official worship of Israel. Daily Devotional:   Better than Gold I am waiting patiently for the HGTV Dream Home Sweepstakes people to show up and award me my new luxury home. This one is a lovely home in North ...

  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...