Resources to Help You Grow
The Daily Walk 2026
The Daily Walk includes devotion and Bible readings for each day of the year and informative charts and insights that will help you understand more as you read from Genesis to Revelation in 2026.
Genesis
January 1
Genesis 2:4-25
Overview
The first two chapters of the Bible begin at “the beginning.” Chapter 1 gives a concise overview of the progress of creation, climaxing in the creation of humanity. Chapter 2 takes a zoom-lens look at day six. There, the details emerge of how God’s image-bearers were created—man from the dust of the ground and woman from his rib. The stage is set, the characters are in place, and the drama can begin.
Your Daily Walk
“When all else fails, follow the directions.” That tongue-in-cheek advice is based on a law as universal as gravity—the Law of Design, which states: “Things work well when they function according to the way they were designed; they work poorly (or not at all) when that design is violated.” God, the Master Designer, made the water, sky, and land; then He made creatures suited for each environment. So it should not surprise you to discover that birds make terrible submarines, or that fish can’t climb trees.
The same design apparent in both the solar system and the desert flower is built into humans and their relationships. The husband is the head of the home and the spiritual leader of his family; the wife is his helper. When we follow God’s design for marriage, there is harmony, and He is glorified.
See how many ways you can complete this sentence: “By God’s design, I am __________.” If you get stuck, consult Psalm 139:14; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 2:10; 5:21–6:9; Titus 2:14. With God’s help, you can become all you were created to be.
Insight - Big Questions, Bigger Answers
The first verse in the English Bible uses only 10 words to answer four of the most basic questions that thinking individuals ever ask: (1) What is there? (2) How did it get there? (3) Did it have a beginning? (4) Who or what is responsible? The answers have been graciously supplied by the only One who was there at the time. (The correct answers are: (1) the heavens and the earth; (2) it was all created; (3) yes; (4) God.)
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January 2
Genesis 3
Overview
The perfect environment into which Adam was placed is now shattered by the entrance of sin. Satan, posing as the subtle serpent, challenges God’s only prohibition on Adam and Eve’s use of the garden. Disobedience follows as the first family eats from the forbidden tree and is expelled from Eden. The results of their sin are devastating, as humanity and the whole creation fall under the penalty of death. Cain becomes the first murderer, and the downward spiral continues from Adam to Noah, paving the way for God’s sweeping judgment upon the wickedness of the world
Your Daily Walk
Have you ever seen an advertisement for a new “miracle product,” then gone out and bought it, only to discover it fails to live up to its billing?
Satan has been overselling his “product”—sin—for thousands of years. He first tried this approach with Eve in the Garden of Eden. Notice the promise: “God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (3:5). Eve believed his claim and tried his product. The result? Pain, bitter disappointment, expulsion from the garden, separation from God, death.
Where has Satan tested your resistance to temptation? What are some of the false promises he wants you to believe to sell you on sin? “If it feels good, it must be right. Everyone else is doing it, so it must be OK. It won’t hurt to do it just once.”
When tempted today to fall for one of Satan’s false promises, respond instead with this scriptural promise from James 4:7— “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Insight - Same Scheme, Different Results
Compare Genesis 3 with Matthew 4:1-11, and you’ll notice an interesting fact. Satan tempted Jesus in the same three ways that he tempted Eve (lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life; see 1 John 2:16). But in Jesus’ case, Satan failed on every count.
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January 3/4
Genesis 6
Overview
In the course of its rebellion, humanity becomes so sinful that God prepares to execute the death sentence on the entire race. In grace, He directs Noah—a righteous man who walks with God—to build a great barge-like ship to escape the coming judgment. Noah obeys God, and while the floodwaters purge the earth, the ark preserves human and animal life for a fresh start. After a safe landing “on the mountains of Ararat” (8:4), God gives new directions and makes new commitments to Noah and his descendants, saying: “I will remember my covenant” (9:15).
Your Daily Walk
Just imagine: “You say you get tired of waiting for God to right the wrongs in your day? Maybe you should quit your job and sign on with Noah & Sons Shipbuilders. They’re short of help, and you will be welcome if you know anything about building triple-decker cargo ships. Nobody’s ever tried this kind of thing before. But Noah is convinced God told him to do it. Says he’s working against a deadline too.
“The contract calls for 120 years—no more, no less. Ol’ Noah figures the Lord wants to give people another chance to turn back to Him. God’s not in any hurry. That’s because He’s long-suffering. But the Lord won’t wait forever. When the time comes, it’s going to get really wet around here. God always keeps His word—and just at the right time too.
“You can start by sawing those gopher logs into planks…”
Make a list of the faith-inspired steps of obedience that Noah took in chapters 6–9. Noah obeyed God by picking up a hammer and a saw. What is God asking you to do today to join Noah’s faithful ranks?
Insight - When Came the Rainbow?
God decreed the rainbow to be a tangible sign of His promise never again to destroy the earth by flood. However, Scripture does not indicate whether the rainbow had previously existed and was then chosen by God as a sign, or whether it was a new phenomenon, suggesting a changed climate after the flood.
Genesis and Exodus
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January 5
Genesis 11:1-9, 27-32
Overview
Chapters 10–11 explain the origin of nations after the flood. Beginning with Noah and his three sons, God repopulates the world. But since the root of sin has not been removed from the hearts of the people, the fruit of sin becomes apparent once again in proud, disobedient actions. So God scrambles the languages, causing humanity to disperse over the face of the earth—as He had initially been commanded. After describing generations of self-serving humans in general, the narrative shifts to one man in particular—Abram—from whom God will build a new nation.
Your Daily Walk
What’s so crucial about obeying God? He’s patient and forgiving. And He will always give you another chance. Right?
Think back over the opening chapters of Genesis. In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam and Eve a forest of trees to enjoy and only one tree to avoid. What happened? They ate fruit from the forbidden tree and were promptly evicted.
After the flood, God gave Noah’s descendants one command: “Be fruitful…and fill the earth” (9:1). How did they respond? “Let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may…not be scattered over the face of the whole earth” (11:4). Once again, judgment followed disobedience.
God’s commands are not to be analyzed, debated, or disregarded. They are to be obeyed. If you believe that, complete this sentence: “I will save myself some grief if I obey God today [how?].”
Insight - 4,000 Years After Babel
How many languages are there in the world today? According to Wycliffe Bible Translators, there are almost 7,000, with about 500 of them with a complete Bible translation. Today, nearly 2,000 language groups don’t have a single verse of Scripture available in their languages. These groups are mainly in these three areas: Central Africa/Nigeria; Mainland and Southeast China; and Indonesia/Pacific Islands. (source: www.wycliffe.org)
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January 6
Genesis 12:1-9; 13:14-18
Overview
Chapters 12–14 describe God’s call of Abram to leave his home in Ur and then again in Haran (both in modern-day Iraq) and travel to a distant but unspecified new land. Abram faces many potential distractions along the way: the death of his father in Haran, a severe famine, and the worldly pursuits of his nephew Lot. But God is looking for a man of faith who will trust Him completely to keep His promises. For Abram and his descendants, those promises include receiving a great name, becoming a great nation, and experiencing great blessings in the face of impossible odds.
Your Daily Walk
How much room have you allowed in your life for God to redirect your steps?
Close your eyes and imagine for a moment that you are Abram. God has just told you to pack your belongings and prepare to move. “Move where?” you respond. “To a place I’ll show you at the proper time.” So you obey. You quit your job, load up your furniture, pack up your family, and head out of town. Destination: Unknown! If this sounds far-fetched, reread the opening verses of chapter 12. That is precisely the challenge Abram faced.
Suppose God told you to do something that just didn’t fit into your own master plan for your life. Would you be willing to respond by faith and trust Him one step at a time—for finances, a place to live, a new church, a new circle of friends? During a quiet moment today, take a walk and get alone with God. Be candid with Him. If you’re available, tell Him so. If you’re not but you want to be, tell Him that too. Then relax and let Him lead.
Insight - Walking in Abram’s Sandals
While Abram’s faith was growing, so was his stamina. After walking 600 miles from Ur to Haran, Abram set out at the age of 75 for the land of Canaan, 400 miles away. He later made a 400-mile round trip to Egypt for a total of 1,400 miles.
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January 7
Genesis 15
Overview
Today’s reading describes the Abrahamic covenant as it was given by God, confirmed, and symbolized. God’s promises to Abraham are given in great detail, confirmed with a unilateral treaty, repeated, and established by the sign of circumcision. But as the years pass with no evidence of fulfillment, Abraham acts in foolish impatience. The result is a son, Ishmael, who will cause his father's heartbreak, constantly reminding Abraham of the price of his unbelief.
Your Daily Walk
How would you spend today if you thought you might have no tomorrow? For Abram, this was more than an academic question. With his little army of 318 men, he had just thrashed a band of warring kings, rescued his nephew Lot, and brought back the kidnapped people and goods. Now, in the long, lonely night hours that follow, he is scared. Scared that his enemies might return to continue the battle. Scared that his life might be snuffed out while he is yet childless.
In his moment of deepest need, with fear eating away at his faith in God, he hears a voice: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield” (15:1). God surrounded Abram with His presence, removed Abram’s fears, and confirmed His promise. And Abram “believed the Lord” (15:6).
What fear paralyzes you most often? Fear of failure? Fear of the unknown? Write it down, along with the words of Genesis 15:1. Thank God that He can—and will—exchange that fear for His strength and comfort.
Insight - Hagar’s Treatment—Abusive or Acceptable?
After 10 years of fruitless waiting for a son, Sarah offered Abram her personal Egyptian maid, Hagar, hoping to produce a son by her. The Hurrian laws from that period describe this as a customary practice. If a son was born, he was regarded as the wife’s. But the painful lesson from Ishmael’s birth is clear: God’s will is done in any way, but God’s way is not God’s will.
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January 8
Genesis 18
Overview
Chapters 18–20 relate to crises in the lives of two of Abraham’s family members: his wife, Sarah, and his nephew, Lot. Lot’s life of compromise and worldly pursuits stands in stark contrast to the life of faith demonstrated by his uncle. In response to Abraham’s fervent prayers, God spares Lot while destroying his hometown for its wickedness and perversion. Yet, even a man of faith like Abraham can stumble when he takes his eyes off God. On a trip to Gerar, Abraham lies about his beautiful wife, Sarah, calling her his sister to save his own skin from King Abimelech.
Your Daily Walk
Try to imagine the most difficult miracle God could ever perform. If you were to select “The Miracle of All Time,” what would it be? Jot down what comes to mind.
How does your miracle compare with the one described in 18:9-15? God promised Abraham and Sarah a son. At first, that may not appear very spectacular, but consider the obstacles. Abraham was 99 years old at the time, and Sarah was 90. For her whole life, Sarah had never been able to bear children and was now beyond childbearing years. Yet even the time of Isaac’s birth was appointed by God. No wonder God asked: “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (18:14).
If you could ask God for one miracle today, what would it be? Help you overcome a past failure? Conquer a dismal self-image? Rebuild a shattered marriage? Write that miracle in the margin of your Bible next to Genesis 18:14, and daily remember the truth that God specializes in impossible cases.
Insight - Where Is Sodom Today?
After its destruction by burning sulfur (19:24-28), Sodom is never mentioned again in the Bible as an occupied city. Today, locations at the southern end of the Dead Sea stand out in satellite photos because of their white ash content. Round balls of nearly pure sulfur were found embedded in the ash.
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January 9
Genesis 21:1–22:19
Overview
The climax of more than 20 faith-stretching years for Abraham and Sarah comes in the birth of Isaac, their miracle son and heir. But soon Abraham’s faith is tested again as God calls upon him to sacrifice that treasured son upon an altar. Abraham obeys, showing that the experiences of the past two decades have not been in vain. For his faithfulness to the point of death, God rewards Abraham with further assurances of blessing. In the closing years of Abraham’s life, a time saddened by Sarah’s death, one crucial detail remains: finding a suitable bride for Isaac.
Your Daily Walk
Have you ever wished you had a timer that would tell you exactly when God would fulfill His promises in your life? A way to tell with assurance when your prayer would be answered for a helpmate, the salvation of a loved one, or the end of an extended illness? Abraham must have wished for such a timer on many occasions as he waited year after year for the son God had promised to give him. But in the birth of Isaac, God demonstrated that, though His promises may not come speedily, they will come certainly. “At the very time God had promised him” (21:2), He fulfilled His long-standing covenant.
It’s easy to impose your own preconceived timetable upon God’s promises … and difficult to deal with the frustration and anxiety that result when God doesn’t answer “on time” according to your expectations. Try this instead: Memorize Genesis 21:1-2. Let the words remind you throughout the day that the timing of the Creator of time is always perfect.
Insight - The Issue Was Obedience
God’s command to Abraham to offer Isaac did not mean God was condoning human sacrifice (a common pagan practice in Abraham’s day). Rather, God was testing Abraham’s faith in His covenant promises. Check Hebrews 11:17-19 and James 2:21-23 for added insight into this event.
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