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 22-23, Psalm 57, 95 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Our readings today wrap up the life of David in 2 Samuel, recording the second of his two major sins. This time, he numbered the fighting men. Though this seemed like a small thing, it was big to God, because it was an act of pride and self-reliance instead of dependence on God. Daily Devotional:   The Act of Worship Wow, we had a great worship service today! What do people mean when they say that? Usually, they mean that there was a full building an...

  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 19-21, Psalm 5, 38, 41-42 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     David repented of his sin when Nathan confronted him and was fully and completely forgiven. But because the consequences of his sin did not end, I suspect that his sorrow for his sin was also constant. Every trial he had was a reminder not only of the wickedness of man but also of his own failure. We live in that paradox often. As sinners, we often give those who hate us, who oppose us, who would hurt us, ample reason to criticize, but that doesn't mean ...

  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 16-18, Psalm 61-62, 64 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The tragic story of Absalom is today's focus. A consequence of David's sin was bitterness in his son's heart and David's loss of clear moral authority to deal with his sons and their misdeeds. When he fell, he seemed to lose his way in other ways. Sin never helps us! But David saw God's gracious hand, and the Psalms we read continue the theme of seeking God's help in the dark times of life. Daily Devotional:   Falsely Accused All around him were liars,...

  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 3-4, 12-13, 29, 55 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     These Psalms tend to focus on dealing with trials and hardships. What is interesting here is that we know that most of David's trials at this point in his life were self-inflicted - consequences of his sin with Bathsheba. But still, even though he was not pristine and innocent, he could still go to God and seek his help. God cares about you and your problems, even the ones you have caused yourself. He may not deliver you from every consequence of your own sin 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 :   2 Samuel 13-15, Psalm 58, 86, 122 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Having sinned and beautifully repented, David was restored in his relationship with God. But that did not protect him from the basic rule of life. "You reap what you sow." He sowed sin into his family and reaped a terrible harvest. A son raped a half-sister, and another son murdered the offender. That son rebelled against David and almost overthrew his kingdom. Forgiveness is complete and immediate, but it never shields us from consequences. David's house...

  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 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalm 32, 51 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Today's reading is well-known. David and Bathsheba. A good man does a bad thing. Books could be (and have been) written about this story. The repentance in Psalm 51 is powerful and exemplary. Daily Devotional:  Sin's Horror 2 Samuel 11 is the turning point of the book. In chapters 1-10, David experiences one blessing and one victory after another. From chapter 12 on, David's life is filled with heartbreak, challenges, and tragedy in both ...

  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 65-67, 69-70 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The Psalms are "worldly" - in the best sense. They are the effort of the Psalmist (David and others) to put the events of this world into a divine perspective. The writer looks at his life's events and asks what God is doing. Daily Devotional:   Why, God, Why? Why did God let that happen? It is one of the most frustrating questions people ask because it is one for which I seldom have an answer. I don't understand the glory of God, nor do I have a playbook...

  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 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalm 20, 60, 75 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     The passages in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles recount more of David's victories, leading up to, in 2 Samuel, his fall into sin. The Psalms we read today all deal with those victories and explain that they come by the power of God. Two key passages in these Psalms for our meditation. Psalm 20:7-8. Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and sta...

  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 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18, Psalm 53 In Bible Gateway, we will link to the NIV this year, though you can choose any version you prefer.  Background:     Few books of the Bible are as easily and purposefully outlined as 2 Samuel. In the first ten chapters of the book, David experiences one victory after another. Chapter 8 here recounts several of these. David is walking in obedience to God and under his daily blessing and protection. In chapter 11, David spies Bathsheba and embraces sin. From that point on, 2 Samuel records one struggle after another in David's life. Even though he repented, 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 :   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 ...