For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor 4:6
“MY DEAR FLOCK, The approach of another year stirs up within me new desires for your salvation, and for the growth of those of you who are saved. “God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:8). What the coming year is to bring forth, who can tell? There is plainly a weight lying on the spirits of all good men, and a looking for some strange work of judgment upon this land. There is need now to ask that solemn question: “If in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?” (Jer. 12:5).
Those believers will stand firmest who have no dependence upon self or upon creatures but upon Jehovah our Righteousness. We must be driven more to our Bibles, and to the mercy-seat, if we are to stand in the evil day. Then we shall be able to say, like David, “The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law” (Ps. 119:51). “Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words” (Ps. 119:161).
It has long been in my mind to prepare a plan for Scripture reading, in which as many as were made willing by God might agree, so that the whole Bible might be read once by you in the year, and all might be feeding in the same portion of the green pasture at the same time.”
These words were penned by Robert Murray M’Cheyne on December 30, 1842, as an introduction to his daily Bible reading plan for his congregation at the Church of Scotland. He was laid to rest exactly three months later at the age of 29. Nevertheless, M’Cheyne’s yearning that his flock would hunger for the daily bread of the Word of God is reflected in our own passion.
Please see the chart below for the guided readings, and know that we as a congregation read alongside you. We encourage the family at NSBC to discuss the readings in Discipleship Groups, around the dinner tables, and as you interact with the community. Let’s all be ready to celebrate the light that shines out of the darkness- the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!
Feel free to download the chart for your use here: January – June, July – December
