Here are the Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read each day this week. Note that 1 Maccabees appears in Catholic versions of the Bible.
Day 113 – Sunday, Sept. 29
Esther Chapters 6, 7, 8, E
In Esther 7:10, Haman was hung from the very device that he had intended to use to hang his enemy, Mordecai.
Read Galatians 6:7. This verse tells us that we reap what we sow.
Praying for our enemies, that is, for people who have harmed us deeply, may seem impossible. It may be necessary to heal from our wounds before expecting ourselves to take on this spiritual goal.
Ask God to give us the ability, where possible, to pray for the people who have hurt us with a sincere heart, and to avoid taking actions that will ultimately bring more harm to us.
Are you ready to pray for good things to come to your enemies?
Day 114 – Monday, Sept. 30
Esther Chapters (8), 9, 10, F
Esther F verse 10 (or 13) tells us that the people were instructed to gather before God with joy to celebrate their rescue.
Ask God to help us to rejoice in the gift of life, each and every day, no matter how trying our life circumstances may be.
How can you add joy to your day today?
Day 115 – Tuesday, Oct. 1
1 Maccabees Chapters 1-3
Today, we begin reading stories of how the Jews encountered and resisted persecution under the leadership of a man named Judas Maccabeus.
Read 1 Maccabees 3:13-19 again. In these verses, we see that the Israelites, led by Judas, were intimidated by the size of the opposing army.
Read Philippians 4:13 and then ask God to help us to believe that with God, we can overcome very challenging circumstances.
Is God calling you to one of your biggest tests in life? If so, are you feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the test or by the impact of where you would be if you pass this test?
Day 116 – Wednesday, Oct. 2
1 Maccabees Chapters 4-6
Read 1 Maccabees 5:46-51 again.
Judas approached the people of Ephron in a peaceful way, but showed them no mercy when they refused to cooperate with his request.
Ask God to give us the wisdom to tell the difference between what the Bible is simply describing and what the Bible is teaching us to do.
Is the Bible teaching us to show no mercy to people who don’t cooperate with us? Are there circumstances in which aggression is justified?
Day 117 – Thursday, Oct. 3
1 Maccabees Chapters 7-8
Compare Judas’ reaction to the deceitful messengers from King Demetrius (1 Maccabees 7:9-11) to the reaction of the Hasideans (1 Maccabees 7:13-16).
Both Judas and the Hasideans saw the army accompanying the messengers, but only Judas saw the army as the threat that it was.
Read Matthew 10:16. Then ask God to give us the gift of discernment so that we can tell the difference between what we want to see and what is really there.
Are the people you trust worthy of that trust?
Day 118 – Friday, Oct. 4
1 Maccabees Chapters 9-10
Read 1 Maccabees 9:7-10 again. These verses tell us that Judas made the decision to enter into his final battle when he was panic-stricken.
Judas, it seems, fell victim to his own personal pride by refusing to take the advice of his men. He rushed into a battle for which he was not fully prepared.
Both Judas and his people suffered from an unwise battle. Ask God for wisdom in knowing which battles we should take on and which ones we can leave for another, calmer day.
Are you about to enter a conflict situation? Are you in a good frame of mind to make a rational decision?
Day 119 – Saturday, Oct. 5
1 Maccabees Chapters 11-12
Read 1 Maccabees 12:44-48 again. In these verses, we continue to encounter stories about deceit.
Ask God to give us the assurance that a truthful voice is a powerful one.
Are you sometimes tempted to give up on speaking the truth because so many people don’t seem to value it?
Read Ephesians 6:13-17. Where does truth fit in to your spiritual armour?