Find daily readings for this week below along with questions for reflection. Join (or begin!) the discussion in the comments. We’d love to hear from you about how reading the Bible daily is bringing you closer to God and one another.
You also may be interested in joining a small group that focuses on exploring the scripture for the following Sunday’s sermon or learning how to approach Bible study in general – or a variety of other opportunities to “seek answers to our questions” as part of a group. Check it out here!
DECEMBER 14
Read: Psalm 96
Reflect: What questions do you have after reading this passage?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 15
Read: Psalm 96:1-3
1 O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
Reflect: Where would you sing to the Lord? What would your song be?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 16
Psalm 96:4-6
4 For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. 6 Honor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Reflect: What is your “people’s Idol”?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 17
Read: Psalm 96:7-9
7 Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 8 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. 9 Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.
Reflect: What are fitting ways that you have found to thank God for all that God has done for you?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 18
Read: Psalm 96:10-11
10 Say among the nations, “The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.” 11 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
Reflect: How, as a Christian, can you share God’s name over the world?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 19
Read: Psalm 96:12-13
12 let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13 before the Lord; for he is coming, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with his truth.
Reflect: Judge yourself. What can you change?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
DECEMBER 20
Read: Psalm 96
Reflect: How will this message influence what you do this week?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
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I would sing the Lord’s song in my daily life, among anyone I encounter. But I would sing his song in my actions, not my words. I would try to show love, equity and hope for the future.
There was a lot that I loved about this passage. It fills me with with peace and hope that verse 6 says “strength and beauty are in his sanctuary”. I love the idea of “the trees of the forest sing for joy”- an amazing image comes to mind with that statement! I looked up the definitions of ascribe and righteousness. I know what they mean, but I just wanted clarity in this text. I wanted to wrestle with those words in my mind. What stood out to me the most is that we have always had a God that is fair and judges with equity. That truth provides so much grace to all people.
Yes, Jamie, the word “equity” stood out to me too. There is so much joy in this passage. I question that I look at the world this way every day.
I like the imagery of the whole of the earth rejoicing in the truth that the Lord is King. Yet it reminds me that I am often too timid in declaring my love of God. If the trees and the sea are shouting it out, surely, I can as well.
My “people’s idol” is, as I ponder, winning the approval of those I encounter instead of being my true self. That striving often comes between God and me.
I need to remember how great God is and how powerful He is. He is bigger than our biggest problem. That brings me “comfort and joy” when I feel overwhelmed.
I can change myself! I can open my eyes and my heart and find ways to work for what I want to happen in my world. Like Gandhi said, “be the change you want to see in the world.”