Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 87, 1 Samuel 9-10.
Reading through the Bible book by book has helped me make connections that I’d missed before. The book of Judges ended with the horrific story of the Levite whose concubine was raped and murdered in the land of Benjamin. (Read Judges 19-21). Next, all the tribes of Israel went up against the Benjaminites. Thousands were killed on both sides and the tribe of Benjamin was defeated. In the end, though, Israel decided they didn’t want the tribe of Benjamin to be wiped out, so they devised a plan to repopulate the land of Benjamin by providing the few remaining men with virgin young women from Jabesh-Gilead plus those captured from Shiloh.
This week, reading 1 Samuel, Israel demanded a king and God chose a man of Benjamin. Benjamin, y’all. And the Lord confirmed this in front of all the people, choosing the tribe of Benjamin, the clan of the Matrites, and Saul, the son of Kish, by lots.
What a powerful example of God’s ways being higher than ours! And what a powerful reminder to study the WHOLE Word.
Lord, I often don’t understand what You’re doing. Sometimes I don’t know why You’re leading the way You do. Help me to trust You, to believe that You are at work even in the craziest of daily life situations in this crazy world. Help me to walk by faith day after day. In the Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 81, Ruth 1-4
Though the book of Ruth is named for Naomi’s Moabite daughter-in-law Ruth, I think we can learn so much by looking at the life of Naomi who was widowed as well as bereaved of both her two sons. Naomi had been afflicted by the Lord, but her life wasn’t over! Joy was coming! A new life, a redeemed life, was coming! If you feel like you’ve been dealt a hard hand, don’t lose hope.
Have any of you been following the life and music of Forrest Frank in 2025? I have. Here are a few videos … Pray! And keep praying!
Heavenly Father, You are good. Always good. You are always working for good. Increase my faith, Lord. Help me to trust You, to pray without ceasing, to be ever ready for Your return. We lift up Forrest Frank and other popular Christian singers and ask You to conform them into the image of Christ and to work through them for Your glory, that millions of people will hear the good news of saving, life- changing, redeeming, hope-filled faith in JESUS! In whose name we pray. Amen.
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 78, Ruth 1
[Naomi] said to [the women in Bethlehem], “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the LORD has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?”
Ruth 1:20-21 ESV
I wish I could tell Naomi not to lose hope, to trust that joy was just around the next bend.
I once heard God’s sovereignty compared to a stoplight which controls traffic in a construction zone. This light is provided to stop people from a head-on collision with oncoming traffic hidden by the bend in the road. Sometimes a person might be tempted to ignore this light, to just assume that no one is coming and give up waiting for the light to turn. As a loving God who knows the future, He asks us to wait on Him rather than barreling forward because of His great care for us.
The point was then made that God is good to not reveal the future to us for if we knew about the tragedy that lies just around the bend we would spend our lives fretting, rather than living each day in itself.
While I do wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment, I can’t help but recognize our human propensity to dwell on the negative, on the coming trial, rather than the coming joy. Several years ago, the Holy Spirit convicted me that when I spend my time fretting about what the future might hold, I end up missing out on having HOPE, trusting in God’s sovereign goodness, waiting expectantly for what hidden joy might lie just around the bend.
Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25) Remember, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) If we could see what was just around the bend, whether tomorrow or a hundred years from now, then we would have no need for HOPE, no need for FAITH. God grows our faith, our trust in Him, by having us wait upon Him.
So, the next time when things look bleak and hopeless and we’re tempted to despair that all hope is lost, let’s remember that God holds the future and that He is worthy of our trust. May we be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” Psalm 37:5
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is plentiful redemption.” Psalm 130:5-7
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 47, 2 Corinthians 7
October 15 is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Day, a day set apart each year to remember those babies that have gone from our arms too soon.
In God’s providence, unaware of this date (or had it just not been established yet?) I had planned my own baby’s memorial service for October 15, 1998, because it was the one-month anniversary of his passing. In today’s reading in 2 Corinthians 7, I was struck by verse 10.
For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.
2 Corinthians 7:10 ESV
The greatest times of growth in my life have always come on the heels of the greatest griefs. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of physical and emotional pain – losing a baby, marriage and parenting struggles, and financial hardships. Sometimes that grief has taken the form of spiritual pain, the result of grieving over my own past or present sin.
And yet, it is quite possible for that very same grief to turn us away from God rather than toward Him. The loss of a baby, the infidelity of a spouse, a wayward child, the recognition of our own sin, all of these things can drive us to doubt God’s presence or goodness.
This, I believe, is one result of what Paul here calls “worldly grief,” grief turned inward rather than heavenward. We think God must not care for us if He has allowed such pain to enter our lives, forgetting the profound wisdom of a mother who chastens her child for his good.
Do you find yourself today in the midst of an unending sea of grief? Cry out to God. Ask Him to rescue you by the mercies of His Son, Jesus, who came to Earth to seek and save the lost, who surrendered His own life that you might have the gift of eternal life.
Heavenly Father, I lift up the person reading this post. I pray that You will draw them into Your loving arms. I pray that You will chasten them like a wayward lamb, that they will come running through the narrow gate of Christ and find safety in the fold of forgiveness. You are so good. I am so thankful for Your righteous judgment and Your boundless mercy. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Good Shepherd and King, I pray. Amen.
Blessings – Laura Story
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 40; 2 Corinthians 1
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.
2 Corinthians 1:3-6 ESV
I’m a member of an elite group of women, but it’s a group that I never signed up for and that I never wanted to join: moms who have lost a baby. I have two children waiting in heaven for me, neither of which I ever held in my arms. The first was just a little gummy bear when he went straight to heaven. The other was six inches long with ten fingers, ten toes, and a very big belly.
As much as I never wanted to join the “Moms of Heavenly Babies” club, now I’m thankful to be a member. I have learned so much through the pain about God and myself. My confidence that God is real and on His throne, and that He truly is the God of comfort, is a direct result of this grief.
God has used this affliction to minister through me to many other women. In fact, God opened the doors for me to found an online ministry and even write a book.
Is there a trial that you’re walking through right now or have walked through in the past? How has God used it for good? How can you comfort someone else with the comfort you received from Him?
Heavenly Father, I thank You for the cross on which Jesus died, His blood poured out for me. I thank You for the example that He gave of suffering pain that others might experience joy and comfort. Help me, Father, to bear my cross with joy and thanksgiving, looking to You and to the promise of eternal life of heaven. Let me not grow weary or faint, for my hope is built on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Please use my testimony for the building up of the body. Help me to comfort others with the comfort that I’ve received from Your Word and Your presence. In the matchless name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
I Need Thee Every Hour – Fernando Ortega
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 14; Joshua 11-12
Maybe you know and maybe you don’t, but I’m just beginning my tenth year at my local Community Bible Study group. Together we study verse by verse through books of the Bible, meeting weekly to discuss what we learn and listen to some teaching on that week’s lesson. This year we are studying the Psalms.
Two years ago, when we were studying 1 and 2 Samuel, our teaching director challenged us to memorize Hannah’s prayer found in 1 Samuel 2:1-10.
And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.
“There is none holy like the LORD: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn.
The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world.
“He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
1 Samuel 2:1-10 ESV
Working on memorizing Hannah’s prayer encouraged me to remember God’s sovereignty in both giving life and giving death, in both exalting the poor and breaking the mighty, something that’s important to remember as you study through the book of Joshua. God sees the whole BIG picture and He is working. He has purposes that we don’t even know about, but we can trust that His plans are good.
If the Lord is hardening someone’s heart, it’s for good, just as much as when He’s softening it.
Heavenly Father, I know that Your ways are higher than mine. I know that You are good and Almighty and nothing happens apart from Your sovereign will. Help me to trust You when things seem bad and out of control. Help me to humbly, joyfully yield my life to Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord, I pray. Amen
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 2, Deuteronomy 31
First Moses told all Israel, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV
Next, Moses immediately summoned Joshua to tell him personally, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
Over two years ago, I logged out of my Facebook account. I don’t miss it much. I’ve gained more than I’ve lost. But one thing I do miss is reading Sunshine Meister’s beautifully written testimonies of God’s daily sustaining grace in her life after her son Nahum’s traumatic brain injury in 2021. One morning I woke up thinking about her and tried to find a way to follow her somewhere other than Facebook, and I stumbled on this testimony on YouTube.
Her words will encourage you more than mine. To God be the glory. Do not fear or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you.
Sunshine Meister – Finding Comfort in God’s Presence
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 150; Numbers 22-24
Am I largely confused by the story of Balaam and Balak? Yes, frankly, I am. But … is there any question in my mind that God is a promise-keeping, miracle-working God who never changes and has all authority over all things in heaven and on earth? No, truthfully, there isn’t. I believe with all my heart the words of Numbers 23:19,
God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?
Numbers 23:19 ESV
I remember one morning, too long long ago when the Mid-South was in the midst of a major heat wave which was made all the more devastating by coming right on the heels of a major thunderstorm with high winds that left a large portion of our city without power and therefore without air conditionally. Thankfully, we never lost power, but we were still having to work around the extreme heat outside. So, my husband got up early so he could mow our 2-acre yard before it got too hot. Shortly after he’d finished mowing, suddenly the sky grew dark, and we could hear the rumbling of thunder in the distance. Suddenly, I had this thought,
The sun is as present and bright right now as it was an hour ago. The clouds might hide it from view, but the sun hasn’t changed one bit.
Likewise, God is the same no matter what circumstances I find myself in. He is unmoving. He is unchanging. He is the rock of ages. Like Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” May we learn to “kiss the waves that throw [us] against the Rock of Ages,” as Charles Spurgeon so brilliantly said.
“For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise…. So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain.”
Hebrews 6:13-15, 17-19 ESV
Today, as my daughter and her new husband exchange vows, promising for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do they part, I pray they would recognize God’s abiding faithfulness, and that His Holy Spirit is the One who gives them the power to keep those vows.
Great is Thy Faithfulness – Hymnology – Hymns of Grace
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 131-132; Hebrews 11
I love, love, love Hebrews 11. I love it from the first verse to the last verse. I could spend a month just studying this one chapter of the Bible. How can I choose just one verse to focus on?
Do I choose the definition of faith – that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen – that we find in verse 1?
Or how about that the universe was created by the word of God, that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible, like we read in verse 3?
But what about verse 6, that without faith it is important to please God, for whoever would draw near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him?
Or maybe I should choose one of the stories of faithful men and women, like Noah or Moses or Rahab?
No, I’m not going to choose any of those. Rather, I want to take you to some of the less popular verses which are found at the end of this chapter, the stories of faithful men and women whose stories aren’t so famous as Abraham and Joseph. I want you to really consider the men and women who aren’t featured in our children’s Sunday school lessons.
Let’s begin reading at verse 32.
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection.
Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
Hebrews 11:32-40
Sisters, Brothers, life isn’t always easy, but God is always good. Trust Him.
Heavenly Father, Thank You for all of these examples of faithful men and women who have gone before us. Thank You for the wonderful stories of miracles like Abraham and Sarah having a baby in their old age, and Moses parting the Red Sea. Help us to remember that even in those joyous stories there is great pain – Sarah’s pain enduring decades of barrenness, Moses’s years growing up apart from his mother along with forty years in the wilderness. And, Lord, there’s also all those stories of men and women who were mocked, tortured, and killed, who never received in this life the rewards and promises they hoped for. Oh, but Father, today they are in Your glorious presence. Today they see You face to face. And someday we will, too, if we do not lose heart. Give us strength to hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, because You, O Lord, are faithful to keep Your promises. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
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Faith to Believe – Shane and Shane
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Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 129; Hebrews 9
For several years, I have been teaching English classes online using The Beginners Bible. I remember one year when I taught the last class, reading the last story, the story of John’s vision of heaven. One of my students wondered if heaven would be boring, if we’d all just be sitting around on clouds singing and playing harps. We had a great discussion about how glorious and good heaven will be. I promised him that he wouldn’t be bored, and I sent his mom a link to another wonderful book, perfect for parents and kids alike, Heaven for Kids by Randy Alcorn.
More recently, I spent 18 weeks leading the youth through a study of the book of Revelation with our local Community Bible Study group. As part of that study, we memorized Revelation 21:1-8 about the glories of the new heaven and the new earth.
So, those things returned to my mind, when I read Hebrews 9.
For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Hebrews 9:24 ESV
Jesus is there now, at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us, and that fact alone is enough to make me long to go – which then reminded me of this quote from John Piper
“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation— is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?”
John Piper
Our Father in Heaven, what an honor it is to pray to You, to know that You hear our prayers while we are here on earth, and what an even greater honor to know that Jesus is interceding on our behalf. We look forward to seeing You face to face, to sitting at Your feet and at least beholding Your glory. We pray that You will draw our loved ones to Your side, that we can worship You side-by-side with those we love. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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Heaven is a Wonderful Place – Psalty
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