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!
NOVEMBER 23
Read: Isaiah 40:1-11
Reflect: What questions do you have after reading this passage?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
NOVEMBER 24
Read: Isaiah 40:1-2
1 Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
Reflect: Where do you see comfort in our world today?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
NOVEMBER 25
Read: Isaiah 40:3-5
3 A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. 5 Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Reflect: What mountains or hills do we need to flatten before we see God’s glory?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
NOVEMBER 26
Read: Isaiah 40:6-8
6 A voice says, “Cry out!” And I said, “What shall I cry?” All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.
Reflect: What is the word of God that brings you strength?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
NOVEMBER 27
Read: Isaiah 40:9
9 Get you up to a high mountain,
O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
“Here is your God!”
Reflect: On a mountain top, what would you ask God? What do you think God’s answer would be to you?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
NOVEMBER 28
Read: Isaiah 40:10-11
10 See, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.
11 He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
and gently lead the mother sheep.
Reflect: What symbol do you view God as?
Respond: Comment below to share your response to reading and reflecting on these passages.
NOVEMBER 29
Read: Isaiah 40:1-11
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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This passage is full of comfort, confidence and hope for our lives because of Gods steadfast love. Why, then, do I slip back into fear and worry when things go wrong in the world and in my personal life? Maybe God wants me to come to him daily to be filled and strengthened by his word.
I totally agree, Sandy! I feel fewer questions and more gratitude…until I reflect on the question you pose! I was thinking, “why don’t I read this every day?!” I look forward to reflecting on it this week.
Verses 3-5 speak, I believe, to the work of equity and justice. How do we lift up the valleys and level the mountains so that all can live the life the Lord has intended?
I like the image of the uneven ground being made level. Isn’t that what we as Christians are trying to do with our equity work around the world? There are so many small ways that we can “level some ground” right now. I like the idea of working with Jesus on this!
I think we often get wrapped up on our own mountains and lose sight of the bigger picture. Taking time to listen to and understand the mountains others face can help gain that perspective.