Click here for the DRB Daily Sign Up form! TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: Nehemiah 3–4; Luke 23 Click HERE to give! One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on the Daily Radio Bible, a daily Bible‑in‑a‑year podcast with 20‑minute Scripture readings, Christ‑centered devotion, and guided prayer.This daily Bible reading and devotional invites you to live as a citizen of Jesus’ kingdom, reconciled, renewed, and deeply loved.
TODAY’S EPISODE Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible. Today is October 10th, and our readings are Nehemiah 3–4 and Luke 23.
Nehemiah is rebuilding.
And almost immediately, resistance comes.
People mock the work.
They question whether it can succeed.
Threats begin to grow.
Fear starts spreading among the people.
But Nehemiah keeps calling them back to courage.
They pray.
They organize.
They watch.
They work.
The image is striking. Some are building while others stand guard.
They are learning that rebuilding something broken can require both tenderness and courage.
Then we come to Luke 23.
And there is Jesus.
Accused.
Mocked.
Beaten.
Crucified.
The violence around him is staggering.
And yet Jesus does not become what is being done to him.
He does not answer hatred with hatred.
He does not answer violence with revenge.
He says:
“Father, forgive them.”
Even on the cross, love remains love.
That may be one of the most astonishing things about Jesus.
The world does its worst.
And Jesus still reveals the heart of God.
TODAY’S DEVOTION There are seasons when life feels like rebuilding a wall.
Something has been broken.
A relationship.
A dream.
Trust.
Confidence.
A sense of safety.
Maybe even your understanding of yourself.
And rebuilding can be exhausting.
Nehemiah discovers that almost as soon as the work begins, criticism comes.
People laugh.
They question.
They threaten.
And fear begins whispering:
Maybe this isn't going to work.
Maybe you're not strong enough.
Maybe you should stop.
I think most of us know those voices.
Sometimes they come from other people.
Sometimes they come from inside us.
But Nehemiah keeps reminding the people why they began.
Keep building.
Stay awake.
Don't give up.
And then Luke 23 gives us an even deeper picture of courage.
Jesus is on the cross.
Everything around him seems to say that violence has won.
Empire has won.
Fear has won.
Death has won.
But Jesus refuses to surrender his heart to hatred.
“Father, forgive them.”
Think about that.
They can take his clothing.
They can wound his body.
They can mock his dignity.
But they cannot make him stop loving.
That is a different kind of strength.
Maybe we sometimes imagine strength as becoming harder.
More guarded.
More aggressive.
Less vulnerable.
But Jesus shows us something else.
Real strength may be the ability to remain loving when the world gives us every reason not to.
To remain human.
To remain compassionate.
To remain ourselves.
You may be rebuilding something today.
And maybe you're tired.
Maybe criticism has gotten into your head.
Maybe you're wondering whether the work matters.
Keep building.
But don't let the struggle turn your heart to stone.
Let Jesus show you another way.
Courage with compassion.
Strength without domination.
Boundaries without hatred.
Truth without cruelty.
Faithfulness without losing your soul.
The cross tells us that love can enter the darkest place imaginable and still remain love.
And resurrection tells us that this love will have the final word.
So keep building.
Keep loving.
Keep taking the next faithful step.
You are not alone in the work.
And you are loved.
TODAY'S PRAYERS:
Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.
Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
And now Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred let me sow love. Where there is injury, pardon. Where there is doubt, faith. Where there is despair, hope. Where there is darkness, light. And where there is sadness, Joy. Oh Lord grant that I might not seek to be consoled as to console. To be understood as to understand, to be...
