Today’s Bible Reading

November 20

Old Testament I
2 Chronicles 14, 15
2 Chronicles 14 and 15 describe the reign of King Asa of Judah, who was known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to remove idols from the land.

Chapter 14 begins with Asa coming to power after the death of his father Abijah, and he immediately begins to strengthen the kingdom's defenses by fortifying cities and building up the army. Asa also instructs the people to seek the Lord and follow His commandments, and he removes the idols and altars from the land.

Asa faces an invasion from an Ethiopian army led by Zerah, but he prays to God for help and leads his own army to victory. Asa and his people praise God for their success and the peace that follows.

Chapter 15 continues the story of Asa's reign and focuses on his efforts to bring about spiritual renewal in Judah. He is visited by the prophet Azariah, who encourages him to continue his efforts to remove idols from the land and to seek God with all his heart.

Asa takes this message to heart and begins a campaign to remove idols from the land, even deposing his own grandmother from her position as queen mother because of her idolatrous practices. Asa leads the people in renewing their covenant with God and instituting reforms to ensure that they follow His commandments.

Asa's efforts are blessed by God, and the kingdom experiences peace and prosperity during his reign. However, towards the end of his life, Asa falls away from his commitment to God and relies on human allies rather than seeking God's help. Despite this, he is remembered as a king who sought the Lord and did what was right in His sight.

Old Testament II
Ezekiel 36:16-38
Ezekiel 36:16-38 is a prophecy given by God through the prophet Ezekiel to the Israelites who were living in exile in Babylon. In this passage, God addresses the sins of the people and promises to restore them to their homeland.

The passage begins with God reminding the Israelites of their sinful past, including their idolatry and disobedience. He tells them that their sins have caused the nations around them to mock them and that they have profaned his name among the nations.

God then promises to restore the Israelites to their land and to cleanse them from their sins. He promises to give them a new heart and a new spirit, and to remove their heart of stone and replace it with a heart of flesh.

God also promises to bless the land and make it fruitful, so that the Israelites will never again experience famine. He promises to increase their population and to rebuild their cities and houses.

Finally, God says that he will save the Israelites from all their uncleanness and will cleanse them from all their idols. He will give them a new heart and a new spirit and will put his spirit within them, so that they will follow his statutes and obey his laws.

In summary, this passage is a message of hope and restoration for the Israelites who were living in exile. God promises to forgive their sins, restore them to their land, and give them a new heart and a new spirit so that they may live in obedience to him.

New Testament
John 14:15-31
John 14:15-31 is part of Jesus' final discourse to His disciples before His crucifixion. In this passage, Jesus promises His followers that He will not leave them as orphans but will send them the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in them and teach them all things.

Jesus begins by stating that if anyone loves Him, they will keep His commandments. He promises that He will ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit, who will be with them forever. Jesus assures His disciples that they will not be left alone and that He will come to them through the Holy Spirit.

Jesus then tells His disciples that the world will not be able to receive the Holy Spirit because it does not know Him. However, the disciples will know Him because He will abide in them. Jesus promises to leave His peace with His disciples, a peace that the world cannot give.

Jesus acknowledges that He has spoken these things while still with His disciples, but that the Holy Spirit will bring to their remembrance all that He has said to them. Jesus assures His disciples that they should not be troubled or afraid, and that they should believe in Him.

Jesus then tells His disciples that He is going away and that they cannot come with Him at that time. However, He promises that He will come again and receive them to Himself so that they may be where He is.

In conclusion, Jesus promises His disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit, who will dwell in them, teach them, and bring to their remembrance all that He has said. He assures them that they will not be left alone, but that He will come to them through the Holy Spirit. Jesus urges His disciples to believe in Him and not to be troubled or afraid, promising that He will come again and receive them to Himself.