Today’s Hebrew Testament chronological reading is in Isaiah 5 and 6.
The Psalms/ Proverbs reading is in Psalm 54.
The Greek Testament reading is in Acts 23.
ESSENTIAL STUDIES.
Isaiah 6, The fat heart
Additional studies: Isaiah Index
Does God sovereignly close up someone’s heart so that they cannot hear, even if they are seeking to hear? I do not believe that is what Isa 6:10 is saying. David has the sense of it from Psa 17:10 – they have already closed their fat hearts, so that they cannot hear. Yeshua echoes this understanding when quoting Isa 6:10 in the Gospels. Those who take heed how they hear, who have ears to hear, will be given more light, sight, and understanding. Those who do not take heed have already chosen, and God honors their choice.
Psalm 54, On Being Upheld
Additional studies: Psalms Book Two: 42-72 Index
David cries out for YHVH to save (Strong’s H3467, ישע yasha) and vindicate (Strong’s H1777 דין diyn) him, as ruthless men have stood up, risen up, against him to oppose him. These ruthless men seek David’s soul (Strong’s H5315, נפש nephesh). It’s more than just seeking after his life, to end it. It’s seeking after his heart and courage, to end it; after his identity and confidence, to end it; after his mental power and emotional health, to end it.
But the Lord (Adonai) is with those who uphold (Strong’s סמך H5564, samak) David’s soul. The with doesn’t just mean that if someone supports David, then the Lord will be with that person. It also means that the Lord is an active participant in conjunction with all the others who are sustaining David’s well-being.
Acts 23, Chiastic structure
Additional studies: Acts Index
The structure put me in mind of a similar incident that happened to Peter and John, when they were on trial before the council in Acts 5. Then, it was Gamaliel’s advice to let them go, lest they be found fighting against God. I have in my notes that these two trials may be two matching elements for the whole book of Acts chiastic structure.
But let this be a warning to us who love the LORD, as these men on the council professed to do. They were so sure that Paul was misrepresenting God (and Peter and John before him) that he deserved death; yet, they were found to be fighting against God. They could not conceive of the new move of the Spirit that Paul was engaged in, preaching the gospel of grace to the Gentiles. And if we in our day, perceive a new move of the Spirit bringing grace to those outcast, let us likewise be slow to condemn it and judge it not God. For if it is a work of men, it will not succeed, but if it is a work of God, far be it from us who love Him to be found fighting against Him! ♥
THREE-YEAR BIBLE.
The three-year plan is here.
Today’s reading is in Psalm 120 through 122.
Suggested study: Psalm 120, Bible for Beginners; Psalm 121 Bible for Beginners; Psalm 122, Bible for Beginners.
AUGUST 2026 BIBLE READING PLAN | 2026 FULL YEAR READING PLAN
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