The Park Forum - Cultivating sustainable faith through Bible reading, reflection, and prayer. -

October 20, 2026October 18, 2026

What Scripture Reveals — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 20 Read: Ezekiel 20 Listen: (9:25) Read: Colossians 3 Listen: (3:09)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

This week of Readers’ Choice looks back at reflections about the Bible.

Barbara, TN — Thank you, John! Beautifully taught and written! …truly grateful for your consistent life giving daily ministry! Happy new year!
Susan, CA — Thank you so much, John! I am evermore grateful for your thoughtful, Spirit-led ruminations on what God is revealing to you through the Bible…May the reach of Park Forum widen and deepen in 2026.

This post was originally published on December 29, 2025, based on readings from 2 Chronicles 34.14-21.

Scripture Focus: 2 Chronicles 34.14-21

14 While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. 15 Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan. 16 Then Shaphan took the book to the king and reported to him: “Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. 17 They have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the supervisors and workers.” 18 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. 20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 21 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”

Reflection: What Scripture Reveals — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

Truth neglected is often forgotten. Truth forgotten remains true.

Do you remember your times tables? How many digits of pi (𝜋) do you have memorized? How many United States presidents can you name? Can you recite a Shakespearean speech, or a Walt Whitman poem? How many phone numbers do you remember?

From the 1960s through the 1990s, “rote memorization” fell out of favor. Educators emphasized critical thinking and problem solving over retaining facts. Memorization was not abandoned. Facts are the building blocks of critical thinking and problem solving but memorization was de-emphasized. However, the pendulum may swing back. Memorization is making a comeback in some educational areas.

Memorization is an Ai-proof assignment. You can’t have an Ai assistant recite the Gettysburg Address for you. And when great speeches, poems, or sections of the Constitution are memorized, more than rote words are learned. The thinking and logic sinks in.

Memorization fades without reinforcement. However, truths forgotten remain true. Six times seven remains forty-two even if we forget and Hamlet’s speech beginning, “To be or not to be,” in Act 3, Scene 1 remains a profound reflection on death, suffering, and injustice regardless of our inability to recite it from memory. (Hamlet Act 3, Scene 1)

The generations before Josiah neglected, then forgot the scripture. That didn’t stop scripture from being true or his covenant with the people from being binding. God showed mercy based on the people’s response to discovering what was forgotten. Are you discovering things in scripture? How are you responding?

Scripture doesn’t have to be lost for generations for us to discover new things every day. Like Josiah, let discoveries in scripture spur you to action. Discoveries will be sometimes joyous and sometimes convicting. Respond appropriately and experience the mercy of God.

There’s no Ai tool that can hide God’s word in your heart for you. Memorization alone cannot do it either. Scripture requires meditation, reflection, and response. When the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, it isn’t just facts or laws. (John 16.13) Truth is embodied with wisdom, application, and action. (1 John 2.3-6) This is what it means to hide God’s word in your heart.

Scripture contains commands and claims but is not primarily facts to be known or rules to enforce. Scripture’s purpose is revealing the nature of God in Jesus and conforming us to that image through the Holy Spirit.

Read, reflect, and respond to scripture to embody Jesus to those around you.

Prayer for the week:

We are taking a break from the Divine Hours Prayers this month. Each week, we will pray a prayer from Scripture or Christian history related to the week’s theme. This week’s prayer is related to our theme of the Bible:

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. — Thomas Cranmer (1489-1556)

Consider Supporting Our Work

Time is running out to get 2025 tax benefits for supporting our work as a one-time or monthly donor. Support ad-free content that brings biblical devotionals to inboxes across the world.

Supporting our Work

October 19, 2026October 17, 2026

Untwisting Scripture — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 19 Read: Ezekiel 19 Listen: (2:12) Read: Colossians 2 Listen: (3:27)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

This week of Readers’ Choice looks back at reflections about the Bible.

Jon, TX — I also like that the image features John 3:16. Not sure why. Maybe because it makes me think, “How could anyone twist that scripture?” Followed by the thought, “I’m sure someone could.”

This post was originally published on February 26, 2026, based on readings from Mark 7.8-19.

Scripture Focus: Mark 7.8-19

8 You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.” 9 And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’ 11 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)—12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.” 14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.”

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)

Reflection: Untwisting Scripture — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

Some Christians spend a lot of time finger-pointing.

Accusations of “twisting scripture to accommodate culture” are common. Some are accused of accommodating today’s culture and others of accommodating past cultures.

Jesus often had similar arguments with religious leaders. In Mark 7, the leaders accused the disciples of violating purity laws by not ceremonially washing before eating. Jesus quoted Isaiah, calling their traditions “human rules.” (Isaiah 29.13)

Then Jesus accused them of twisting scripture. They used commands about “Corban,” or dedicating things to God (Leviticus 27.16-24), to dodge responsibilities to family from other commands. (Exodus 20.12; Deuteronomy 5.16) They used Leviticus to negate Exodus and Deuteronomy.

Finally, Jesus returned to the issue of purity, shockingly declaring that eating cannot defile a person but speaking can, because words come from the heart. The narrator (probably Peter speaking through Mark) tells us this means all foods are “clean.” (A claim that would remain controversial through much of the New Testament. Acts 11.1-18)

Did Jesus do a “whataboutism?” Did he lecture leaders for nullifying God’s commands while nullifying purity laws? Did Jesus say some commands in scripture are “human rules?”

“No” to all of those. Jesus didn’t switch topics to “what about” the religious leaders. He exposed the actual topic underneath their objection that had implications far beyond ceremonial washing. Jesus diagnosed their dysfunctional theology and prescribed a cure.

When Jesus said “human rules” and “your traditions,” he wasn’t downgrading some scripture and elevating others. He condemned their human interpretations of how to live according to those laws. (Matthew 5.21-48) When Jesus declared all food clean it was because he was making all people clean in himself. (Acts 10.15; John 15.3)

God’s commands are perfect. Human theological interpretations and practices can be filled with errors. We shouldn’t confuse the two. But if the religious leaders (the elite theologians of their day) were so badly mistaken, what hope do we have?

We definitely need less finger-pointing and more humility. If you interpret scripture so that it never contradicts your culture, your friends, or your political party, something is wrong. Scripture critiques every culture and all traditions, past, present, and future. Only slippery slopes have no friction.

Like Jesus, drill down to the real issues, not the culture war surface-level skirmishes. Untwist scripture from trends and traditions. When in doubt, make sure what comes out of you (actions and words) is loving and pure.

Do not let today’s trends or yesterday’s traditions negate the gospel of Jesus.

Prayer for the week:

Time to Make the Mercy Known — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 16 Read: Ezekiel 16 Listen: (10:36) Read: Philippians 3 Listen: (3:21)

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Oct 17 Read: Ezekiel 17 Listen: (4:26) Read: Philippians 4 Listen: (3:20)
Oct 18 Read: Ezekiel 18 Listen: (5:26) Read: Colossians 1 Listen: (4:18)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

This week of Readers’ Choice looks back at reflections on Jesus and salvation.

Barbara, TN — “… never ceases.“ Praying to be prayerful throughout the day for those struggling around me. Thank you!

This post was originally published on September 28, 2026, based on readings from Lamentations 3.19-23, 32-33.

Scripture Focus: Lamentations 3.19-23, 32-33

19 I remember my affliction and my wandering,

the bitterness and the gall.

20 I well remember them,

and my soul is downcast within me.

21 Yet this I call to mind

and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,

so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction

or grief to anyone.

Reflection: Time to Make the Mercy Known — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

“Time to make the mercy.”

This inside joke between my wife and me mashes up “His mercies are new every morning” with an old Dunkin’ Donuts commercial. (NIV uses “compassions” instead of “mercies”)

In the famous “Time to make the donuts” commercial, Fred the Baker exits and enters his door at all hours. Exiting, he says, “Time to make the donuts.” Entering, weary and worn by weather and work, he says, “I made the donuts.” This continues repeatedly until he meets himself coming in the door saying a final time, “I made the donuts.”

I don’t remember when I first made this little joke, but it was probably inspired by the old worship chorus, “The Steadfast Love of the Lord.” It has been a consistent, light-hearted way to keep this verse and thought alive in our hearts. It refreshes me to picture God, laboring as the baker (perhaps with some flour on his clothing and sweat on his brow) to make afresh new mercies for each day.

But the mercy that Jeremiah spoke about is not some light and fluffy donut.

Would you have guessed (if you didn’t know) that this encouraging line comes from a book of poems called Lamentations? Probably not. Separated from its context, the phrase sounds so cheery it can seem trite.

When things go awfully, horribly wrong in life, encouragement from people who seem to never have had anything go wrong doesn’t help. When someone whose worst day ever was spilling their coffee or dropping a donut tells us, “His mercies are new every morning,” it’s understandable to roll our eyes. When Jeremiah says it, we can trust it.

Jeremiah said that God does not “willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” But he also said God has “broken my teeth with gravel” and “all that I had hoped from the Lord” is gone. From this painful and broken place, Jeremiah speaks about God’s mercies, compassion, and loyal love.

The mercy Jeremiah described saved him from being consumed or crushed in his pain. God’s mercy is “battle-tested” by Jeremiah and many before us. It is tough enough for the toughest things we will face.

Not only do we need that kind of loyal love and mercy, everyone around us does too. God has already “made the mercy” through Christ’s cross. It is finished.

It is time for us to make Christ’s mercy known.

Prayer for the week:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. — Apostle Paul, Eph 3.14-19

Read The Bible With Us

It’s never too late to join our Bible reading plan. Immerse in the Bible with us at a sustainable, two-year pace.

https://mailchi.mp/theparkforum/m-f-daily-email-devotional

October 15, 2026October 13, 2026

Carving Jesus Into an Idol — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 15 Read: Ezekiel 15 Listen: (1:09) Read: Philippians 2 Listen: (3:45)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

This week of Readers’ Choice looks back at reflections on Jesus and salvation.

Jason, TX — So good.

This post was originally published on August 3, 2026, based on readings from Isaiah 63.7-8 and Psalm 139.19-20.

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 63.7-8

6 I trampled the nations in my anger;

in my wrath I made them drunk

and poured their blood on the ground.”

7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,

the deeds for which he is to be praised,

according to all the Lord has done for us—

yes, the many good things

he has done for Israel,

according to his compassion and many kindnesses.

Psalm 139.19-20

19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!

Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!

20 They speak of you with evil intent;

your adversaries misuse your name.

Reflection: Carving Jesus Into an Idol — Readers’ Choice

By John Tillman

Imagine a warrior who single-handedly kills scores of enemies while defending his family. It shouldn’t be hard. Many films and TV shows tell similar stories. When the bloodied hero (or heroine) rises from battle, having saved what was dear to them, we cheer.

But what if the blood-soaked hero is God?

Isaiah describes the tender loving-kindness of God right after a bloody battle in which God (or God’s servant) tramples nations in anger. Psalm 139 has tender-hearted lines about God’s care for life in the womb, but also imprecatory calls for the death of the wicked.

Do passages like these make you uncomfortable? My discomfort with these passages has to do with their abuse, not their true meaning.

Don’t misunderstand these passages of divine violence. These actions are not ours to emulate. Vengeance, when it comes, belongs to God, not us. Our role is pulling people out from under wrath, not pushing them toward it.

Some, however, twist these passages to bless “hatred” (Ps 139.22) of certain groups and to sacralize violence that defends themselves, their family, and their “culture.” (Which usually means their race.) The Nazi regime wooed and corrupted many German Christians by celebrating Jesus as “the greatest warrior” and not a “sufferer.”

“Warrior Jesus” is a false Jesus, but he’s not the only one.

God has revealed himself to us most fully in the image of Jesus (Col 1.15; Heb 1.3; John 14.9). But many people treat Jesus as a block of wood, stone, or metal that they can carve, chip, or shape until he fits comfortably in their life without poking, prodding, or challenging them.

We often carve Jesus into an idol that blesses our sins and condemns others’ sins. The violent carve away Christ’s compassion, mercy, and long-suffering love. Libertines carve away Christ’s calls for holiness. The slothful carve away Christ’s commissioning us to work for the kingdom. The legalists carve away Christ’s free and gracious offer to all humanity with no barriers.

We are supposed to conform our image to Jesus, not the other way around (Rom 12.2; 1 Pet 1.14). Put down your carving and shaping tools and accept Jesus as scripture shows him. He is the king on a donkey, the servant with a towel, the sufferer on the cross, and the coming, conquering King of Heaven.

Beware any version of Jesus who demands no repentance, challenges no assumptions, never warns of destruction, blesses all your desires, and confirms all your cultural dogmas.

Prayer for the week:

Readers’ Choice is Here!

This month, we reshare your favorite Park Forum posts from this year. There’s still room for more. Tell us about one we should include.
What posts did you share with a friend?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

October 14, 2026October 11, 2026

Stray Shepherding — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Oct 14 Read: Ezekiel 14 Listen: (4:09) Read: Philippians 1 Listen: (4:03)

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

This week of Readers’ Choice looks back at reflections on Jesus and salvation.

Barbara, TN — Really powerful devotional…especially clarifying what a good shepherd is and isn’t and that we as the Lord’s sheep are being Shepherd by him and his perfect knowledge of us continually! Sadly we’ve had those experiences with shepherds and the best of it is that it keeps pointing out the man is not the right place to look. The Lord is my Shepherd!

This post was originally published on September 23, 2026, based on readings from Jeremiah 50:6.

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 50:6

My people have been lost sheep;
     their shepherds have led them astray
     and caused them to roam on the mountains.
They wandered over mountain and hill
     and forgot their own resting place.

Reflection: Stray Shepherding — Readers’ Choice

By Erin Newton

In my first year of Hebrew classes, my professor explained verb tenses and used Psalm 23 as an example. He stressed, “The Lord is shepherding me”—not simply, “is my shepherd.” His point was that the guidance of our God is continual and ongoing, not just a point-in-time fact or a past action. I have taken more classes since that day two decades ago, but this statement comes to mind often.

A note here: We must remind people that the old theory that shepherds needed to be harsh and even “break the legs of a sheep when it was unruly” is false and debunked. That’s a terrible shepherding method and a horrendous advocation for abuse. (The Park Forum has written specifically on this point in Urban Legends and Good Shepherds.)

Over the last year, I’ve experienced the “sheep without a shepherd” situation. Matthew 9:26 speaks of this: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Oddly, I was a member of a functioning church. It was a church in transition and, despite reaching out to the pastors, my concerns fell through cracks. And then again two months later. And then again two months after that.

I follow an account where a photographer’s husband is a shepherd in Switzerland. It has been fascinating to see a modern-day shepherd’s life and then reflect on modern pastoral care for the church. This Swiss shepherd spends half of the year with his flocks in the mountains. He is separated from his human community for months, being integrated and connected to his sheep and goats. He knows their personalities, their struggles, their life cycles. They move up and down the mountain depending on the season.

Change is inevitable and not necessarily bad. Jeremiah’s shepherd is moving the congregation over the hills and mountains. But it’s astray. These shepherds, who were revered among their community and blindly followed by the flock, are not as wise as they proclaim to be.

The result is a lack of rest. No peace in the community. No peace with God. No peace internally.

With all the verses about human shepherding, I’m so thankful for Psalm 23. The Lord is shepherding me. I’ve moved into a new flock with a new set of shepherds who dwell among us, knowing our lives and our hurts. But it’s still the Lord who ultimately shepherds. And he does not lead astray. He guards me; I don’t have to be his defense.

Prayer for the week:

Readers’ Choice is Here!

This month, we reshare your favorite Park Forum posts from this year. There’s still room for more. Tell us about one we should include.

What posts helped you heal?

https://forms.gle/Kj12Ziy4C9gQg8Xm7

Links for today’s readings:

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Scripture Focus: 2 Chronicles 34.14-21

Reflection: What Scripture Reveals — Readers’ Choice

Prayer for the week:

Read more: Listen and Change

Consider Supporting Our Work

Links for today’s readings:

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Scripture Focus: Mark 7.8-19

Reflection: Untwisting Scripture — Readers’ Choice

Prayer for the week:

Read more: Older Than the Old Way

Read more: Carving Jesus Into an Idol — Readers’ Choice

Links for today’s readings:

Links for this weekend’s readings:

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Scripture Focus: Lamentations 3.19-23, 32-33

Reflection: Time to Make the Mercy Known — Readers’ Choice

Prayer for the week:

Read more: Ready, Willing, and Able

Read The Bible With Us

Links for today’s readings:

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Scripture Focus: Isaiah 63.7-8

Psalm 139.19-20

Reflection: Carving Jesus Into an Idol — Readers’ Choice

Prayer for the week:

Read more: Missing the Kingdom for the Empire

Readers’ Choice is Here!

Links for today’s readings:

Readers’ Choice posts are selected by our readers:

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 50:6

Reflection: Stray Shepherding — Readers’ Choice

Prayer for the week:

Read more: Urban Legends and Good Shepherds

Readers’ Choice is Here!