Daily Bible Reading - March 29th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 29th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Ezra 8:15-36: The book of Ezra is considered a sequel to Chronicles and describes the return of some of the Jewish exiles from Babylon and the restoration of life and worship in Jerusalem. After the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple (586 B.C.), the people were deported to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:11-21). In 538 B.C., King Cyrus or Persia defeated the Babylonians and allowed the captives to return to their homes near Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple (2 Chronicles 36:22, 23). Ezra, an expert in the Law of God, helps the people reorganize their religious and social life in order to safeguard the spiritual heritage of Israel. Today’s reading is Ezra’s prayer in which he asks the people to fast and to pray for God’s protection as they journey back to Jerusalem.

Daily Bible Reading - March 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society: 2 Chronicles 7:1-10: After Solomon offered his prayer to the LORD (see 2 Chronicles 6:12-42), he dedicated the Temple and offered sacrifices to the LORD. Then Solomon and all the people celebrated the Festival of Shelters.

Daily Bible Reading - March 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 27th, 2020 | American Bible Society: 2 Chronicles 7:1-10: After Solomon offered his prayer to the LORD (see 2 Chronicles 6:12-42), he dedicated the Temple and offered sacrifices to the LORD. Then Solomon and all the people celebrated the Festival of Shelters.

Daily Bible Reading - March 22nd, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 22nd, 2020 | American Bible Society: 2 Chronicles 1:1-17: Second Chronicles begins with a description of the rule of King Solomon, David’s son. When God appears to Solomon in a dream, the young king asks God for the wisdom and knowledge to rule his people. God replies with a promise to give him wisdom, knowledge, wealth, and fame.

Daily Bible Reading - March 21st, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 21st, 2020 | American Bible Society: Psalm 84: Today’s reading is a psalm that celebrates the joy of being and living in God’s presence. True happiness comes from depending on God, and the writer expresses longing to be in the LORD’s Temple.

Daily Bible Reading - March 19th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 19th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Psalm 75: In today’s reading the psalm writer expresses trust in God’s judgment and acknowledges that God judges with fairness.

Daily Bible Reading - March 16th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 16th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Psalm 48: As cited in verses 1 and 2, Mount Zion is the sacred hill and refers to Jerusalem, the city of God; and this psalm may have been sung by pilgrims visiting Jerusalem. Jerusalem and its people did withstand many attacks by enemy armies and even destruction by the Babylonians (586 B.C.) Still, the people believed that God would “keep the city safe forever” (verse 8), and this psalm celebrates Jerusalem as the place where God rules.

Daily Bible Reading - March 15th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 15th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Psalm 46: This psalm is an expression of confidence and trust in God. In the midst of cosmic or natural upheaval, God’s protection and presence is assured.

Daily Bible Reading - March 8th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 8th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Psalm 25: Today’s psalm is a prayer for guidance, protection, and forgiveness. It includes a series of petitions along with affirmations of trust in God. The writer attests to the LORD God as our teacher; to learn, one must have reverence for the LORD.

Daily Bible Reading - March 6th, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 6th, 2020 | American Bible Society: Psalm 11: In this short psalm, an individual who has found safety in the LORD is addressing another individual and affirming trust and confidence in the LORD.

Daily Bible Reading - March 1st, 2020 | American Bible Society

Daily Bible Reading - March 1st, 2020 | American Bible Society: Matthew 4:1-25: After Jesus is baptized by John at the Jordan River, the Spirit leads him into the desert where he is tempted by the devil. After the devil departs, angels come to help Jesus. Jesus then moves north to Capernaum and begins his public ministry in Galilee. He calls his first four disciples and travels throughout Galilee, teaching, preaching, and healing the sick.