MONDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 4:1-11
Acts 4:23-37
Psalm 7
Genesis 18–20

Psalm 7
Have you ever been accused of something you didn’t do? Managing our emotions during such times of injustice can be challenging. In this Psalm, David appears to have been falsely accused and he immediately pled his case before the Lord, asking God to vindicate him. We would do well to follow this model. When others speak ill of you, falsely accuse you, or malign your character, the immediate response is to lash out and seek vengeance. Let God vindicate you in his good time and cling to his promise, “My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart” (v. 10).

TUESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 4:12-17
Acts 5:1-16
Psalm 8
Genesis 21–23

Genesis 21–23
A lonely hilltop, a broken-hearted father, a submissive son carrying on his shoulders the very instrument of his proposed death, the question of sacrifice, a three-day story—it requires little imagination to see the ultimate event captured in this Old Testament pageant of faith. Second Chronicles 3:1 informs us that the mountain of Moriah became the site for the temple and the sacrificial system which also pointed to the ultimate price for our sin. As the heavenly Father intervened to spare Isaac’s life, he knew there would be no intervention for his Son many years later. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15)!

WEDNESDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 4:18-25
Acts 5:17-42
Psalm 9

Genesis 24

Acts 5:17-42
Peter and John, the first to be imprisoned and flogged for preaching the gospel, rejoiced that they were counted worthy of suffering disgrace for Jesus. I’ve never been flogged for my preaching (a few of my sermons certainly deserved as much) and I’ve never been incarcerated for standing with the Lord. I don’t know how I might react to such a predicament, but I’m convinced I wouldn’t be rejoicing. I marvel at Peter and John who bore their painful stripes with joy. Only God knows what the future holds, so with or without scars, let us rejoice that we are considered worthy to serve Jesus!

THURSDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 5:1-12
Acts 6
Psalm 10
Genesis 25–26

Matthew 5:1-12
Sometimes referred to as “The Be Happy Attitudes,” the opening lines of the Sermon on the Mount have encouraged many. Blessed carries the connotation of being favored or filled with joy. Joyful are those who find their purpose and fulfillment in God rather than this world. Consequently, the poor, mournful, meek, and hungry are considered favored when they seek God first. The beatitudes are divided in two parts. The first four are vertical in nature representing our relationship with God. The second five are horizontal in nature representing our relationship with others. Find your joy in living the “be happy attitudes.”

FRIDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 5:13-20
Acts 7:1-38
Psalm 11
Genesis 27–28

Psalm 11
Every newscast or newspaper headline seems to highlight what’s wrong in our world. Not a week goes by that I don’t hear about someone’s tragic test results and fearful future. Marriages and families are struggling under a myriad of problems and some have lost hope. Our nation is drowning in debt. The psalmist asked a probing question: “When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” Amidst all the bad news, don’t forget the answer: The LORD is on his heavenly throne. When everything around you seems hopeless, remember that God is still in control.

SATURDAY

Reading for Today:
Matthew 5:21-32
Acts 7:39-60
Psalm 12
Genesis 29–30

Genesis 29–30
The Bible speaks often regarding the principle of sowing and reaping. What we understand from farming, we ought to practice in every area of life. Jacob had plotted with his mother to deceive Isaac and steal the birthright from his brother Esau. His family relationships were never the same again. After working for seven years to marry the love of his life, Rachel, his father-in-law deceived him with Leah. I wonder if Jacob had a flashback to the day he deceived his own father. Be careful with your choices in life and your subsequent actions. Plant carefully; you will reap what you sow.