Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: 2 Samuel 20-24 | John 7

“Hallelujah Story” by John Van Deusen

Now baptized and free
The Spirit as our guide, Word before our feet
We walk in the light
As You are in the light
Adopted and blessed
Trusting in Your name, we come and confess
We hold on to hope
And the inheritance 

The Kingdom of God is drawing near, and you can experience it today. You can have the gift of eternal life, our inheritance and our hope. 

The Kingdom of God isn't just something we experience after death. Jesus taught that the Kingdom of Heaven is closer than we think. Every story of life change, every baptism, every person who finds hope is a glimpse of heaven breaking through to earth right now. 

This hope is not wishful thinking, it’s rooted in our knowledge that Christ has already defeated death. Because we know how the story ends, we can turn to Jesus in every circumstance, even when we don't know the outcome.

But what we do know is that in Jesus' ministry, he preached about the repentance of sin. “From then on, Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent of your sins and turn to God,’ for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17). Repentance means to turn away from anything that keeps you from Jesus, doesn't serve your life, or prevents you from obeying God's word. Sin leads to death, but the eternal promise is that Jesus gives life. 

When we turn away from sin and turn to Jesus instead, we find life, and God delights in life: “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:32).

Here we look to the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) to bring the Kingdom of God to our lives today. 

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven (v 10). 

We long to see God transform people's lives and discover lasting hope in his eternal promises. As we see glimpses of heaven breaking through to earth, we are reminded that our hope is anchored in the confidence that Jesus remains victorious regardless of our past or what the future will bring. Our hope is in trusting God, even though we don't know his plan. 

God's will be done on earth. 

Let’s look to him in all things, and see his light shine as heaven draws near. 

Questions: 
What barriers keep people from turning to Jesus, and how can we help overcome them? 

What practical ways can you seek out God's Kingdom in your daily life? 

Why do you think repentance is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's Kingdom? 

Next Steps:
Discuss how you would interpret Matthew 4:17 in the context of modern life. 

Journal about ways you trust in Jesus and not the outcome of your circumstances. 

Get baptized if you haven't yet!

Prayer:
Dear God, I draw on your kingdom today. This is my inheritance, and you're not holding back on me. I repent and look to you. I find hope by turning to Jesus in every circumstance, even when I don't know the outcome. I pray for your will to be done. I celebrate every story of life change, every baptism, and every person who finds hope because they are all glimpses of heaven breaking through to earth right now. Amen. 

Series Theme Verse:

1 Timothy 6:6-7
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 

Written by Becca Roberts, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.