Daily Bible Reading – October 2023, "God’s Saving Word: Justice and Peace"نموونە

October 23

Introduction

Other nations will become part of God's people. Israel and its leaders are told to be examples to the nations by living according to the LORD's commands and treating all people with fairness and justice. The reading concludes with a condemnation of those leaders who do not act justly.

Scripture Reading

Isaiah 56:1‒12

Today's Key Verse: Isaiah 56:7b

[The LORD says:] “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for the people of all nations.”

Reflect

Zion, God's “sacred hill” (verse 7), refers to the hill on which the Temple stood. What promise is given in verse 7 “to those foreigners who become part of [the LORD's] people” (verse 6)? How do you envision what is described in verses 6‒8? In what ways does your community of faith invite and welcome people to join you for worship and fellowship?

Pray

Lord God, you are a welcoming God, inviting all people to become part of your people. Open my heart to welcome those I meet and extend your kingdom of love and salvation to all people. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

And now, join us in praising God that a new sign language translation has brought the Bible to the deaf community in North Macedonia. Almighty God, we praise you that the Macedonian Bible Society has completed the translation of several biblical stories into Macedonian Sign Language. Before this project began, very few Bible-based resources existed for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. We pray that, with the generous support of Bible Society donors, translation work will continue in 2023 and beyond to bring even more stories of the Bible to the approximately 6,000 people in the deaf community in North Macedonia. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Isaiah 58:1‒14: False piety is contrasted with true worship.