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April 12: Costly Grace Deuteronomy 23:1–25:19; 2 Corinthians 6:1–13 ; Psalm 39 When we say something hurtful to a friend or a family member, we know we can’t just ignore the harm we have caused (we should know, anyway). In order to repair the relationship and earn back trust, we have to acknowledge the rift we’ve created. But when it comes to our relationship with God, we don’t always look at it the same way. Sometimes, consciously or unconsciously, we belittle the incredible love that He has shown us. When we don’t acknowledge our sin as an act of rebellion, we feel far from God. We’ve created this great divide because we’ve tarnished our relationship with Him. In Psalm 39, the psalmist is in great agony over his sin—to the point where he acknowledges that people are nothing and his life is vanity: “Surely a man walks about as a mere shadow” (Psa 39:6). Without God, life is meaningless. The psalmist acknowledges that his transgression has done great harm. He turns to God and...

April 11: Curses, the Old Testament, and Freedom Deuteronomy 21:1–22:30 ; 2 Corinthians 5:11–21; Psalm 38:1–22 “And if a man commits a sin punishable by death, and so he is put to and you hang him on a tree, his dead body shall not hang on the tree, but certainly you shall bury him on that day, for cursed by God is one that is being hung” (Deut 21:22–23). Being hung on a tree was a sign of being cursed. Romans 5:12 tells us that the punishment of sin is death; we as sinners deserve that curse. If Christ wasn’t cursed for us by being hung on a tree (the cross), then we would still have a debt to pay and a curse to live under. It can be difficult to find significance in the ot, especially in passages that are as harsh as this one. But the ot still holds meaning for us today, and that meaning often reveals our human and individual state. The same is true for those odd laws about crimes and marrying foreigners (Deut 21:1–14). It’s not that we’re supposed to practice these laws...

Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan April 21: The Misnomer about God’s Will Joshua 7:1–8:35; 2 Corinthians 10:1–8; Psalm 49:1–20 We often hear a great misnomer about following God’s will. It usually sounds something like this: “God has commanded me to do x, so I’m going to go into x blindly without fear.” A phrase like this has elements of great truth—faith should carry us. But it’s missing a piece. Sometimes God instructs us to follow Him quickly and blindly. When that’s the case, we should certainly do it. However, His commands should almost always be combined with the abilities that He has given us, including logic and rationality. We have to find the balance. If we get too rational, it can be the detriment of God’s will; we can reason ourselves out of taking the risks God wants us to take. Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Moses, is a great example of proper behavior within God’s will. He learned from Mo...

Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan April 5: Treating the Symptom Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20 ; 2 Corinthians 2:12–17 ; Psalm 34:1–22 I regularly predict that something will only take me an hour when it actually ends up taking two. I’m beginning to think that this is a sign of a larger issue: the tendency to underestimate the severity of a problem. In medical offices, this is called treating the symptoms and not the disease. In street ministry, it’s known as getting addicts off the street rather than helping them understand their addiction. Addicts love sin. And eventually, sin becomes everything in their lives, which means they remove who they are. If we’re all honest with ourselves, we would see that, like the addict, we like the “gray” area far too much. We want to push the boundaries in the name of freedom, rationality, or cultural appeal. In Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20, Moses was not interested in pushing boundaries. He even to...

Connect the Testaments: A One-Year Daily Devotional with Bible Reading Plan April 1: Moving On Deuteronomy 1:1–46 ; 2 Corinthians 1:1–11 ; Psalm 31:1–9 “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Turn now and move on” ( Deut 1:6–7 ). We have a terrible tendency to stay in one place or keep doing one activity longer than we should. Our meetings run long, we constantly work overtime, or we overstay a welcome. And then there’s the most significant problem of all: we ignore God’s command to leave a place, position, or role. Change can be refreshing. But the countless decisions and the difficult and frustrating moments that accompany change can often keep us from moving forward. We become comfortable where we are, and we fear the unknown. Indeed, the majority of people (including Christians) live seemingly meaningless lives. Most American Christians spend more hours per day doing comfortable things, like watching TV, than they do praying,  read...

February 2: The Problem with Power Exodus 4–6 ; John 1:19–34 ; Song of Solomon 1:5–7 Grasping for power is one of the easiest sins to fall into. At first it looks like ambition, then it looks like success, and then it quickly becomes about your success and your power. This can be costly—not just to you, but to all the people you hurt in the process. If anything is done for the purpose of power, it’s not worth achieving. And don’t let the snazzy word “influence” fool you; it’s just a synonym for the same empty desire. John the Baptist is an example of ambition; he is fueled by passion but constantly checked by God’s calling . He is firm in his words , confident in what he must do, but humble in his understanding of his relationship to God . He is not in it for himself , but for Jesus . When asked, “Who are you?” (a leading question, since many believed him to be the Messiah the people expected), he replied, “I am not the Christ!” ( John 1:19–20 ). When further questio...

February 1: God’s Ideas : More than Good Exodus 1–3 ; John 1:1–18 ; Song of Solomon 1:1–4 It’s exciting to see ideas take shape and then become reality. Even more exciting, though, is when God’s ideas take form. The Bible shows us these events repeatedly. As the reader, we’re given glimpses into what God is really doing —events the characters are unaware of. Or we have a hint all along that God is up to something unexpected, and that He will make good out of the evil that’s happening. The story of Moses is like this. God’s people are terribly oppressed, but they are many ( Exod 1 ). And we all know there is power in numbers. When baby Moses comes along, we’re ready for something amazing to happen. It will be from this unassuming moment that God will do the least expected ( Exod 2:1–10 ): He will help those on the underside of power. Our suspicion is confirmed when Moses is willing to kill for justice ( Exod 2:11–12 ). Moses flees, and then God hears Israel’s compla...

January 30: Difficult Definitions Genesis 47–48 ; Hebrews 11 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1–8 As an editor, I love definitions. The field of lexicography can be complex, but when a definition is finally solidified, there’s comfort to be found. It becomes something stable. This is also the reason I love the book of Hebrews: the author is keen on definitions, clarifying terminology, and using analogies to prove his points. “Now faith is the realization of what is hoped for, the proof of things not seen” ( Heb 11:1 ). In this succinct definition, I have perspective on the essence of faith. There is no room for doubt or error. The hope referred to is Jesus . And the proof is in an assurance that even though we cannot see Him , we have confidence in His work both presently and in the future. The author goes on to say, “For by this [faith] the people of old were approved [by God ]. By faith we understand the worlds were created by the word of God , in order that what is seen did not come ...

January 29: The New Deal Genesis 45–46 ; Hebrews 10 ; Ecclesiastes 11:5–10 “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.” These words were spoken by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech which unveiled a series of economic strategies for ending the Great Depression. We love newness because it holds hope. The same should be true when we look to the new covenant of Jesus. Although it may not feel quite as new as it did nearly 2,000 years ago—when it altered the spiritual landscape like the New Deal forced economic vitality into America—it still holds the same power today. This covenant is first mentioned in Hebrews 8 ; and in Hebrews 10 , we see the full implications of it: “For by one offering he has perfected for all time those who are made holy.… Now where there is forgiveness of [sins], there is no longer an offering for sin” ( Heb 10:14 , 18 ). Prior to Jesus , there was a need for regular sacrifices for sins to be made, but since Jesu...

January 28: Carpe Diem Genesis 44 ; Hebrews 8–9; Ecclesiastes 11:1–4 The Latin phrase Carpe Diem, means “seize the day.” Taking risks to make your life extraordinary is biblical, if done according to God’s plan and principles. The idea behind this comes from Ecclesiastes: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” ( Eccl 11:1 ). Bread acts as the symbol for substance in the ancient world; the author of Ecclesiastes is suggesting that we should follow God’s plan , even at the possible cost of our livelihood. He then suggests that what we give to God , He will return . This is opposite from a self-protection mentality. The “waters” in the proverb represent chaos, suggesting that in letting go of even the most chaotic circumstances, we learn about God’s ability to give what we need. This is further illustrated when the author says, “Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.… He who observes...

January 27: Revenge Isn’t Sweet Genesis 42:29–43:34 , Hebrews 5:11–7:28 , Ecclesiastes 10:10–20 It’s easy to revel in vigilante justice, be joyful in the irony of someone getting “what’s coming to them,” or feel satisfied when “bad Karma comes back around” to others. The colloquialisms around the subject alone demonstrate our infatuation with justice. Joseph is similarly impassioned; he schemes against his brothers who sold him into slavery. At the beginning of Gen 43 , Joseph’s brothers must go back to Egypt to request food from him—their younger brother, whom they do not recognize. Joseph waits for the youngest, Benjamin, to join them. What Joseph intends to do when he does, we’re not told. When Benjamin and the other brothers arrive, Joseph is either moved with empathy or chooses to act upon his original plan of revealing himself in front of all his brothers ( Gen 43:16 , 29 ). Joseph even helps them financially, signaling that he somehow still cares for them ( Gen 44 )....

January 18: Giving Up Control Genesis 30 ; Matthew 22:23–23:36 ; Ecclesiastes 7:6–12 We are born bent on our own ambitions. It’s in our nature to control and compete. And pride—often the source of this behavior—keenly notices the pride of others. Often, we want to point out the failing of the equally prideful and impose our own wills on them, while neglecting to see these traits in ourselves. In Genesis 30 , we find a myriad of characters who are bent on obtaining favor and selfish gain—often at the expense and exasperation of others. Rachel foolishly demands a son of Jacob ( Gen 30:1 ) and then—because the family dynamics weren’t complicated enough—she has her handmaid bear her a child via Jacob. When she finally obtains a son, she is not joyful—she is triumphant: “With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister and have prevailed” ( Gen 30:8 ). Leah uses bribery and her own handmaid to gain the attention of her neglectful husband, while Laban and Jacob continue circ...

January 16: Save Us! Genesis 27 , Matthew 20:17–21:22 , Ecclesiastes 6:5–12 “ Hosanna to the Son of David ! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord ! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” ( Matt 21:9 ). Idiomatically, this means: “Save [me], I pray, the Son of David . Blessed is the one who comes in the name of Yahweh ! Save [me], I pray, by the highest!” When the people shout these words about Jesus as He enters Jerusalem, they affirm His divinely appointed role and His ability to save them . And the original psalm that this phrase comes from is about their God , Yahweh . Perhaps the people understood Jesus as one with God ( Psa 118:25–26 ). As He enters Jerusalem, Jesus’ actions align with Zech 9:9 , which foretells of a savior-king who will enter on a donkey ( Matt 21:5 ). For first-century Jews, everything lined up to affirm Jesus as God’s way of bringing salvation , and they responded to Him as such. This prompts several questions: how often do we see the...

January 15: I Understand How They Felt Genesis 26 ; Matthew 19:1–20:16 ; Ecclesiastes 6:1–4 “Allow the children, and do not forbid them to come to me, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven” ( Matt 19:14 ). This is the type of Jesus I want to know. It’s easy for me to think of Jesus as a man I see in film or in Renaissance paintings—to make Him somehow distant in the process—but this Jesus is very compassionate and close. This Jesus takes the lowest members in society, outside of slaves, and promotes them to the ultimate status of equality: members of the kingdom of heaven, being God’s kingdom . The disciples didn’t understand this yet; instead they rebuke the people bringing their children to Jesus ( Matt 19:14 ). The people bringing their children simply wanted Jesus to lay His healing hands on them and pray for them; the disciples saw a threat to Jesus’ image . The image Jesus wanted to portray was the opposite. It seems more often than not that I find myself worryi...

January 14: Unexpected Rivalries Genesis 25 ; Matthew 18 ; Ecclesiastes 5:12–20 When in survival mode, you have to compete against anything that could hinder your survival. Strong competitors, like professional athletes, often can’t explain their almost inhuman acts under pressure; adrenaline takes over. The same thing that the ancients used to escape from wild animals is what makes us win. Yet, for all the good that comes from a competitive survival instinct, it can result in ostracizing others. Esau and Jacob, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, reminds us of this. From the prophecy of Yahweh forward, we know that they will be rivals: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger” ( Gen 25:23 ). Yahweh didn’t necessarily desire that the two would feud. A division doesn’t always mean a strained relationship, and the word “divided” in Hebrew doesn’t imply derision....

January 13: Avoiding the Unavoidable Genesis 24 ; Matthew 16–17 ; Ecclesiastes 5:8–11 It’s common to put people in our lives on hold, even if we love them, until something forces us to pay attention. Forgetting those who are closest to us is a frightening thought. Peter, Jesus’ disciple , likely realized that people were making a similar mistake in their relationship with Jesus . In the district of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks His disciples , “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ( Matt 16:13–14 ). At first, they respond with the expected: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, and the prophets—suggesting that Jesus is an esteemed and powerful prophet, but not more. Then Jesus asks the are-you-paying-attention question: “But who do you say that I am?” ( Matt 16:15 ). Simon Peter understood this, blurting out, “ You are the Christ , the Son of the living God !” ( Matt 16:16 ). Jesus asked about the Son of Man , emphasizing His humanity ; Peter responds by emphasizing...

January 12: Fear God Genesis 21:22–23:20 ; Matthew 15 ; Ecclesiastes 5:1–7 In Ecclesiastes 5 , the author stops to consider God’s place in the heavens and our place on earth. He acknowledges that there is a great gulf of understanding between who God is and who we think He is. This realization should affect our entire posture before Him . “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God ,” he says. “Do not be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God , for God is in heaven and you are on earth.” Don’t attempt to offer the “sacrifice of fools” with your lips, or even your heart, he adds. Instead, we should come prepared to listen ( Eccl 5:1–3 ). Coming to God ready to listen doesn’t mean neglecting to bring our troubles or needs before Him . He wants us to do this—but not rashly. Rather, we should offer acknowledgement that He guides our lives. Like Rachel and Leah, in Genesis 30 , we may sometimes use God to justify the pursuit of our ...

January 11: The Kingdom of Heaven is Like … Genesis 19:30–21:21 ; Matthew 13:44–14:36 ; Ecclesiastes 4:8–16 Few in the world have sold everything to pursue an idea. Yet Jesus claims those who discover the kingdom of heaven are willing to do so. “ The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, that a man found and concealed, and in his joy he goes and sells everything that he has and buys that field” ( Matt 13:44 ). It seems that hardly any of us are equally willing to give up everything for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The realization that Jesus has brought the kingdom of heaven to earth presents us with a choice. Will we decide that His kingdom is worth more than all things, or will we devalue it by equating it with worldly treasures? There are many types of currency, not just money: reputation, occupational status, and social media popularity are just a few. But the kingdom is much more than material or monetary ideas. It’s about giving our gifts, though...

January 9: Noteworthy Stories Genesis 16–17 ; Matthew 12 ; Ecclesiastes 3:16–22 When God’s promises are lavished on Abram in Genesis , we can’t help but feel a bit surprised. It seems undeserved—mainly because we know nothing about Abram. We haven’t had a chance to weigh his wisdom or foolishness, something Ecclesiastes endorses. Yet God promises to make Abram’s children as numerous as the stars in the sky (a blessing in the ancient Near East). “ I will make your name great,” He says. “ I will make you a great nation.” He also promises protection: “ I am your shield.” Even after the fact, God doesn’t disclose why He wants to bless and protect Abram. The greater context of the Genesis narrative shows that God’s blessing is certainly not just about Abram. Just before God promises to give Abram a great name, a nation, and land in Gen 12 , He had scattered the nations over all the earth. At the Tower of Babel , God dispersed those who were grasping for a relationship w...

January 8: Judging the Time and Seasons Genesis 14–15 ; Matthew 11 ; Ecclesiastes 3:9–15 We often have difficulty judging the events in our lives and then responding appropriately. Although God has placed eternity “in our hearts,” we don’t know the reason or the outcome of our life’s events ( Eccl 3:11 ). The danger comes in being known for only one mode of operation and one response for all seasons. In Matt 11 , Jesus speaks to a generation who responds in one way—with skepticism and unbelief. Those who judge see John the Baptist as a demon-possessed man rather than a prophet. They see Jesus as a glutton, a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and sinners—not the one who has come to save them from their sins. Jesus illustrates their responses with a tale. He compares them to children who call out to each other in the marketplaces, saying, “We played the flute for you and you did not dance; we sang a lament and you did not mourn” ( Matt 11:17 ). Those who hear and fai...