For those looking for a Bible reading plan, each week I post 2 chapters to read per day as a main reading plan, and for anyone who wants to read the whole Bible in 2026, I’ll post the extra chapters to read that week. The main readings will include nearly all of the New Testament, plus Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Prophets, and a few other Old Testament books.
Reading 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends almost exactly covers the 1,189 chapters of the Bible, so the “extra” readings will be about 9 chapters per week. These readings will cover the Pentateuch, the OT histories, a few other OT books, plus Jude and Revelation from the NT.
Regardless, I hope this schedule encourages others to read and study their Bible more, whatever parts they decide to read. Follow along (or not) any way you choose!
2 chapter a day plan:
Monday, June 1: Proverbs 2, Jonah 1 Tuesday, June 2: Proverbs 3, Jonah 2 Wednesday, June 3: Proverbs 4, Jonah 3 Thursday, June 4: Proverbs 5, Jonah 4 Friday, June 5: Proverbs 6, Acts 1 Saturday, June 6: Proverbs 7, Acts 2 Sunday, June 7: Proverbs 8, Acts 3
Extra chapters for those reading the whole Bible in 2026: Joshua 9 – 17
John the Baptist announced the coming of Jesus, baptized Him, and led the way for His ministry to begin. This John was identified with “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight’”[1] prophesied in Isaiah 40:3-5, which says:
“A voice cries: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 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. And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.’”
Is Isaiah talking about a massive, miraculous geological event, creating an easier route for Jesus to take to His kingdom? Perhaps in the future something like this will happen, but I think Isaiah is saying that God’s power over nature is a symbol of His power to reform and perfect us into the character of His Son Jesus.
Before Jesus comes into our lives, we are a spiritual wilderness full of uneven ground and rough places. The path of our salvation begins in this wilderness, an unorganized chaos of thoughts and desires. We are like “children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” However, the power of the LORD enters our low valleys – our guilty secrets, shame and depression – which will be raised up. It progresses through our mountains and hills – areas of pride, self-sufficiency, and our desire for power – which will be made low. God, with the same power that created the universe, removes all obstacles to the coming of His kingdom to us, and to the world. He has given us His word, His Spirit, and fellow believers to strengthen us, “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” (Ephesians 4:13-14)
John the Baptist called his followers to confession and repentance. In announcing the coming of the kingdom of God, John anticipated a time when our internal and external wildernesses will become a paradise. Until then, we each have different hills and valleys, different uneven and rough areas. Until then, the world remains full of false doctrine, cunning, craftiness and deceit.
Today, pray that the powerful voice of our LORD will reach into your wilderness and remove obstacles on the path to His kingdom. Pray that His word and His Spirit will reveal His glory. Pray that all believers will answer the call of “the voice of one crying in the wilderness” to build up His church.
For those looking for a Bible reading plan, each week I post 2 chapters to read per day as a main reading plan, and for anyone who wants to read the whole Bible in 2026, I’ll post the extra chapters to read that week. The main readings will include nearly all of the New Testament, plus Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Prophets, and a few other Old Testament books.
Reading 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends almost exactly covers the 1,189 chapters of the Bible, so the “extra” readings will be about 9 chapters per week. These readings will cover the Pentateuch, the OT histories, a few other OT books, plus Jude and Revelation from the NT.
This week, if you’re following along with the Bible in a year plan, you’ll finish both the Gospels and the Pentateuch. We also finish the Psalms this week, and I miss them every year when they’re finished. Most Psalms are like a helpful prayer guide for me, whereas the Proverbs sometimes feel like a (much needed) lecture.
Regardless, I hope this schedule encourages others to read and study their Bible more, whatever parts they decide to read. Follow along (or not) any way you choose!
2 chapter a day plan:
Monday, May 25: Psalm 145, John 15 Tuesday, May 26: Psalm 146, John 16 Wednesday, May 27: Psalm 147, John 17 Thursday, May 28: Psalm 148, John 18 Friday, May 29: Psalm 149, John 19 Saturday, May 30: Psalm 150, John 20 Sunday, May 31: Proverbs 1, John 21
Extra chapters for those reading the whole Bible in 2026: Deuteronomy 34; Joshua 1 – 8
The English writer Samuel Johnson noted that “the true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.” There is a great example of this in the story of King David and Mephibosheth in the book of 2 Samuel.
Before becoming king, David had a deep friendship with Jonathan, the son of King Saul who despised David and persistently tried to kill him. In response, David did not try to kill Saul, but relied on God to keep his promise that David would become king and eventually Saul was killed in battle against the Philistines. Soon after, David was anointed king and surprisingly asked: “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”[1] Mephibosheth, a lame son of Jonathan, was found, given Saul’s land and servants to work it, and also given a place at David’s table.
There are at least 3 ways David’s treatment of Mephibosheth did David no good from a worldly perspective:
It was typical for kings to wipe out the entire family of political rivals to remove any threats from claims to the crown. David, showing mercy to Mephibosheth instead, took a risk by keeping a descendant of Saul alive.
Mephibosheth, lame in both feet, was limited in what service he could offer to David. He was not a great warrior and otherwise had little to offer David. However, David had mercy on him because of his love for Mephibosheth’s father Jonathan, not because of what he could get in return.
David restored Saul’s land to Mephibosheth, land that David could have kept for himself. Instead, David fed Mephibosheth from his own possessions for the rest of his life. Mercy for Mephibosheth had an economic cost to David.
While from this worldly perspective David might seem foolish, from an eternal perspective he was wise, foreshadowing the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 5:43-45 –
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Are there Mephibosheths in our lives who could be shown mercy, regardless of the worldly impact on us?
For those looking for a Bible reading plan, each week I post 2 chapters to read per day as a main reading plan, and for anyone who wants to read the whole Bible in 2026, I’ll post the extra chapters to read that week. The main readings will include nearly all of the New Testament, plus Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Prophets, and a few other Old Testament books.
Reading 3 chapters a day on weekdays and 4 on weekends almost exactly covers the 1,189 chapters of the Bible, so the “extra” readings will be about 9 chapters per week. These readings will cover the Pentateuch, the OT histories, a few other OT books, plus Jude and Revelation from the NT.
I hope this encourages others to read and study their Bible more, whatever parts they decide to read. Follow along (or not) any way you choose!
2 chapter a day plan:
Monday, May 18: Psalm 138, John 8 Tuesday, May 19: Psalm 139, John 9 Wednesday, May 20: Psalm 140, John 10 Thursday, May 21: Psalm 141, John 11 Friday, May 22: Psalm 142, John 12 Saturday, May 23: Psalm 143, John 13 Sunday, May 24: Psalm 144, John 14
Extra chapters for those reading the whole Bible in 2026: Deuteronomy 25 – 33
Driving Toward the Morning Sun 