Embed means to fix or retain in the mind and heart. God has chosen a very special way to embed Jesus within us. The Bible is God’s perfect revelation to man. Within its pages, we see the nature and character of God, hear the story of salvation and redemption, and experience the call to walk closely with God and be transformed in the image of Jesus. Everything we do with regard to spiritual growth and health is fueled by what we find in the Bible.
This year, as we read through the history of Israel, our goal is to embed the Bible in our hearts and lives. Remember that the Old Testament is not simply a history. It is a living story that shapes our hearts to see God in every moment. Israel’s history is our history. It tells of the beginning and of our God who moves to create the world and mankind. It tells how humanity has come to know God and trust His leading. It tells us how those who have gone before have followed God in surrender and obedience. It tells us how God has moved people, nations, and families. The history of Israel teaches us to walk with God.
Remember that our goal is always the transformation that God promises. So as you read this year, don’t simply rush to be done. Don’t “punch your card” every day. Come to God’s Word with a desire to know God better, follow God more faithfully, and surrender to God more fully. Yes, ask yourself what the passage is saying. Ask what the passage means. But never leave your reading until you have asked yourself how you can live out what God is saying in the passage.
God longs to hold you close and walk with you through each moment of your day. I pray that as you spend time with God, listening to His words and to His voice, that you will be changed. Changed to look like Jesus!
| Date | Daily Reading |
| December 27 | Psalm 20 |
| December 28 | Psalm 65 |
| December 29 | Psalm 90 |
| December 30 | Psalm 103 |
| December 31 | Psalm 111 |
| January 1 | Genesis 1 |
| January 2 | Genesis 2 |
| January 3 | Genesis 3 |