Week 39 Reading Guide
Faithfulness in Exile and God’s Call to Return
Daniel, Hosea, Joel
Big Idea: This week’s readings focus on God’s sovereignty over nations and His relentless love for His people. In Daniel, we see examples of unwavering faith during exile and visions of God’s ultimate victory. Hosea reveals God’s heart for His unfaithful people, calling them to return to Him despite their sin. Joel declares a coming day of the Lord and the promise of restoration through repentance. Together, these books remind us of God’s faithfulness, justice, and redeeming love.
Reading Plan
Monday: Daniel 1-4 (Faithfulness in Babylon and Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream)
Tuesday: Daniel 5-7 (Belshazzar’s Fall, the Lions’ Den, and the Ancient of Days)
Wednesday: Daniel 8-12 (Prophecies of the End Times and God’s Sovereign Rule)
Thursday: Hosea 1-7 (God’s Covenant Love and Israel’s Unfaithfulness)
Friday: Hosea 8-14 (Judgment and the Call to Return to the Lord)
Saturday: Joel 1-3 (The Day of the Lord and God’s Promise to Pour Out His Spirit)
Weekly DNA Questions
Discover
How do Daniel’s actions in exile demonstrate unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty?
What do Hosea’s prophetic actions teach us about God’s enduring love for His people?
How does Joel’s prophecy of the Spirit’s outpouring shape our understanding of God’s plan for His people?
Nurture
Are there areas in your life where you need to trust God’s sovereignty, even when circumstances seem overwhelming?
Reflecting on God’s call to return to Him, what keeps you from fully surrendering to His love and grace?
Act
Identify one way you can demonstrate faithfulness to God in a challenging situation this week, like Daniel did in exile.
Share the message of God’s compassion and forgiveness with someone who needs it.
Spend time asking God to fill you with His Spirit and guide you to live in His power.
Key Verse: Joel 2:13
Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and He relents from sending disaster.
Reflection for the Week
This week’s readings highlight God’s power to rule over nations and His deep desire for His people to return to Him. In Daniel, we see God’s faithfulness to those who trust Him, even in the face of persecution. Hosea portrays God as a loving husband calling His unfaithful bride back to Himself. Joel points to both judgment and restoration, culminating in the outpouring of God’s Spirit. These messages remind us that no matter how far we have strayed, God is always ready to restore and renew us when we turn to Him.
Bible Project Resources
Guide to the Book of Daniel: Daniel's experiences provide hope and assurance for the day that God will confront evil and deliver his people.
Guide to the Book of Hosea: While God brings just judgment against human evil, he does not intend to harm Hosea’s message to future generations that God’s love is unbreakable and his ultimate purpose is to heal and save.
Guide to the Book of Joel: God longs to show mercy to Israel if they admit and confess their sin. One day, God will defeat evil, both in our world and inside ourselves, bringing his healing presence to make all things new.
