Author: Donna Snow

Chances are you have heard the name of Nimrod. You may have even called someone a Nimrod (or been called one yourself). He was actually a man named in the Bible. So who was Nimrod and why is his name so famous?

Contents

• Who Was Nimrod in the Bible?
• What Did Nimrod Do in the Bible?
• Why Did Nimrod Build the Tower of Babel?
• Nimrod and Narcissism
• God’s Response to Nimrod
• How to Avoid Being a Nimrod 
• How Did Nimrod Die?

Who Was Nimrod in the Bible?

We are introduced to Nimrod in the Book of Genesis: “Cush fathered Nimrod; he was the first on earth to be a mighty man. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord. Therefore it is said, “Like Nimrod a mighty hunter before the Lord” (Genesis 10:8-9).

Nimrod’s story starts with his family tree in biblical history. We see that Nimrod was the son of Cush. Cush was the son of Ham, who was the son of Noah. So Nimrod was the grandson of Ham and the great-grandson of Noah. He was the third generation to be born after the great flood.

But in our modern-day vernacular, to call someone a “Nimrod” does not mean a positive trait. It usually means that someone acted in a boneheaded way. I have been called a Nimrod, and chances are you have, too. Perhaps you have never heard that name before.

According to Genesis 10:8-9 (above), here are some specific traits in the account of Nimrod up to this point.

   1. Nimrod was a Mighty Warrior

The first mention of Nimrod (above) refers to him as a “mighty man.” He was the first of any mighty men listed in Scripture up to this point. 

Nimrod automatically stands out in the account of Noah’s lineage in Genesis 10 because three verses are dedicated to him alone. Other people around him are simply given a mere mention.  

What we see here is that Nimrod was the first person touted as a “celebrity” in the Bible. He was like the Michael Jordan or Elon Musk of the ancient world, In fact, Nimrod was one of the first well-known historical names other than the kings of the earth.

The first time I stumbled upon the name Nimrod in Genesis 10, his particular name stood out simply because of the different directions and ways that his name is mentioned. Nimrod’s name has two distinctive traits attached to him right away: a mighty warrior and a mighty hunter. 

   2. Nimrod was a Mighty Hunter

The second thing we learn from the description of Nimrod was that he was not only a great hunter, but a mighty one. Hunting was a valuable skill in ancient traditions. If you were a desert people who did not farm or grow crops, hunting for game was the only way to have food.

Nimrod’s prowess with a bow and arrow garnered him the name “mighty” hunter. He was like the hunter of all hunters. What Michael Jordan did with the basketball, Nimrod did with the bow and arrow or spear. Three-point shots all day long. Wild animal snacks for days.

Nimrod’s father did not even garner such attention as a hunter. Nimrod either loved to hunt so that he became extraordinary through constant practice, or God had gifted him with particular gifts of aim and execution. 

   3. Nimrod Built Cities

Beyond the fact that Nimrod was called a mighty man and rock star hunter, he also built cities.

“The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. From that land he went into Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city” (Genesis 10:10-12).

Building cities takes a great deal of skill. It points to the determination of Nimrod to make a splash in this world for his name. It takes a long time and a lot of people to build cities. Consequently, Nimrod would have secured loyalty from the people of the land. 

The land of Nimrod’s influence spread far. Resen was known as one of the great cities in the Old Testament. Nimrod was a bold man and a powerful leader of different people across the whole land.

But celebrity is a fickle beast. Celebrity is not always a positive thing to have and we will see that in Nimrod’s life. Pursuing a life that is all about you discounts or diminishes God. It puts that person on a collision course with the Almighty.

What Did Nimrod Do in the Bible?

Nimrod built the city of Babel and within it the infamous Tower of Babel. The story of the Tower of Babel is a story of narcissism and self-absorbed celebrity gone terribly wrong.

“Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar” (Genesis 11:1-3).

Do you ever wonder why Scripture includes certain details? For instance, these verses emphasize using bricks that were burned and using bitumen for mortar. Why in the world would that matter?

Genesis was written to a people who had been enslaved in Egypt doing building projects. This reference to bricks meant something to them. To a generation of builders, they understood that bricks were a substandard building material. Stone was much stronger and lasted longer. You did not use bricks for stone if you expected a building to stand the test of time.

This part of Genesis is powerful because it shows what happens when people like Nimrod (or you and I) walk away from the God who created us to create something using substandard material for our own glory. We cannot build a life using unstable, ungodly spiritual building bricks. 

What Does Nimrod Mean in Hebrew?

We still use his name today in the unflattering light of being a bonehead or not acting very smart. The biblical name of Nimrod means “rebel” in Hebrew traditions. That certainly fits with what we have learned about Nimrod. 

However, the name Nimrod can also mean “valiant”. Perhaps the story of Nimrod is also a lesson about how valor can go sideways when not directed for God’s glory. That begs the question: when God gives us valor are we using for His glory or ours? When we use valor for self gain we garner the contempt of God. 

Why Did Nimrod Build the Tower of Babel?

A tower is a statement of dominance and power. We still do this today by building skyscrapers. About 600,000 people were involved in the building of the Tower of Babel and its surrounding city. According to the book of Jubilees, the building program lasted for 43 years. (The Book of Jubilees in not part of the biblical canon, but Jewish tradition.)

When God decided to put a stop to Nimrod’s building project, the tower had reached 5,433 cubits (almost two miles high). To put it into perspective, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the tallest building in the world today is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 2,761 feet. That is only a half of one mile tall, or one-quarter of the height Nimrod had achieved. Nimrod was literally trying to reach the heavens.

According to the Book of Jasher, the founders of the Babylonian and Egyptian empires undertook the task of building the tall tower. The Book of Jasher (the Book of the Upright or the Book of the Just Man) is a lost book mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Even though it is a part of the Jewish writings, it is often interpreted as a lost non-canonical book by modern scholars. It says:

“And all these people and all the families divided themselves in three parts; the first said We will ascend into heaven and fight against him; the second said, We will ascend to heaven and place our own gods there and serve them; and the third part said, We will ascend to heaven and smite him with bows and spears.” Jasher 9:26 

Building the Tower of Babel was essentially a revolt against God. Nothing good can ever come out of that spiritually deadly territory.

Nimrod and Narcissism

Nimrod was known for his narcissism and self-promotion to the detriment of others and offense to God. Narcissism is not new, but I believe we can agree that it has gotten exponentially worse. A true narcissist is not driven by insecurity. Rather, they believe we should think they are awesome because they are awesome. About 6% of people fall in that category. 

The atmosphere in our culture centers around narcissism. Think about it. Self-absorption is in the very air we breathe through social media and mainstream media. Selfies clutter social media like confetti. Just scroll through someone’s social media page. Do they appear in the vast majority of their pictures? Are they talking about the Bible but the accompanying picture or video is a selfie?

Narcissism at its core is a preoccupation with self coupled with a diminishing empathy for others. In their book, “The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement“, authors Jean Twenge and Keith Campbell report the exponential increase in the narcissistic “epidemic” more than doubled over the last decade. 

They observed how our culture is becoming a more self-absorbed people. They even did an in-depth study of song lyrics over the past several decades and discovered a radical decrease in words like “we” and “us”, and an increase in words like “I” and “me.” There has been a marked decrease in socially uplifting lyrics to more destructive, violent lyrics.

So we need to learn how to adjust our breathing in an atmosphere of narcissism in order to survive and thrive in Christ. Why is narcissism and bone-headed actions associated with Nimrod? 

   1. Nimrod’s Kingdom

Nimrod was all about Nimrod. He was a walking definition of narcissism. His picture would have shown up by the word “narcissism” in ancient dictionaries. Genesis 10:10 says that Babel was “his kingdom” so Nimrod was a king. 

We clearly see narcissism in the reason that Nimrod and the people built the tower: “Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth'” (Genesis 11:4). 

They were actually making a theological statement. They wanted to build a city that reached the heavens because that’s where God dwells. And Nimrod wanted the top job. They were building the tower for themselves to make a name for themselves. When a person does not follow God, something has to take the central place in their life. The most common and natural default is to worship self. 

Did you notice that fear was their motivation? “…otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.” So even though their intent begins with prideful statements, the driving force is fear. Fear that they won’t amount to anything or won’t be remembered. 

Nimrod chose to leverage his God-given gifts to make a name for himself. As king, his kingdom would be all about him. Nimrod King of Babel meant that he took center stage in his fiefdom. His was the kingdom. 

   2. Nimrod’s Power 

Nimrod’s power was undisputed. People proclaimed him as a mighty warrior and the best hunter over the face of the whole earth. We already learned that Nimrod gets more Bible mention exposure than any other person in Genesis 10. 

From ancient texts to today, wealth usually brought power. As a king with vast resources at his disposal, Nimrod was powerful. The people who try to run our world today are the wealthiest around the globe. When used for self or self-aggrandizing agendas, wealth is the lurking place of ultimate defeat. 

 Although we cannot know the heart of Nimrod, a person’s actions are a clear indicator. He lived large as a mighty hunter. He built large as a king. His was the power.

Truth: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

   3. Nimrod’s Glory

Nimrod garnered all the glory. After all his city and his tower were all about him. He was a mighty man and a mighty hunter. 

God did not figure into Nimrod’s plans. Yet as the Author of life, God is the DNA of any successful plan. Following God and His plans for our lives means lasting success with God getting all the glory. But God was not part of Nimrod’s architectural plans. His was the glory. 

In her book “Daring Greatly“, Brene Brown says about our culture: “I see shame-based fear of being ordinary. I see the fear of never feeling extraordinary enough to be noticed, to be lovable, to belong or to cultivate a sense of purpose. I can see exactly how and why more people are wrestling with how to believe they’re enough. The cultural messaging everywhere that says an ordinary life is a meaningless life.” 

None of what Nimrod did was about God’s kingdom, God’s power, or God’s glory. In Nimrod’s world, his was the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Why is our culture today so obsessed with building their own brand to stick out? Most of us are not classic narcissists. What drives it is usually a fear that we are not relevant or people will not remember us. 

“Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!” (Psalm 96:3)

God’s Response to Nimrod

Nimrod and his people had built a tower to try to become their own gods. God knew this was not good for mankind, so in His mercy He shut it down. 

“But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them” (Genesis 11:5-6). 

That is not a positive statement. This verse is not a team cheer saying “You can do anything!” God does not look down and become afraid that they will overpower Him. He sees that their building project will lead to self-destruction. 

“Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.” So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth” (Genesis 11:7-9). 

We cannot miss the significance that God came down. Nimrod was working to build his kingdom up and God simply looked down shaking His head in disappointment. He stopped their self-destructive behavior by confusing mankind’s communication through different languages from that point on. What Nimrod was striving for was impossible in every way—spiritually, physically, and morally.

How to Avoid Becoming a Nimrod

That’s the fear of being nobody, of being scattered, and of not mattering is where most people live. But that does not mean we have to become Nimrod. So how do we avoid that slippery slope in our saturated cultural atmosphere of narcissism?

   1. Fear the Lord, Not Lack of Followers

Many of us look around our culture and conclude that if everyone else is going after their corner of fame, perhaps we should jump in before we miss out. Perhaps our secret fear is that our number of followers somehow comprises our worth. And the desperate fight for earthly relevance kicks in. Keep these verses close: 

Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Galatians 3:26-27 – “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” 

Romans 8:17 – “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” 

By God’s grace, we can redirect the gifts He has given us back for His kingdom, His power, and His glory. In Christ, you matter. He created you with a specific purpose, gifts, and passions. 

   2. Follow the Lord, Not the Fame

Throughout Scripture, if anyone traveled “east” they were going away from God. The same is true of the people of Babel:

“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there” (Genesis 11:1-2). 

When Adam and Eve rebelled against God, Genesis tells us that they moved east of Eden. When Cain killed his brother and God sent him out of His presence, Cain went east to build his city. Later when Lot broke away to pursue a selfish and broken life, he traveled east. 

So we see a pattern. We can see where God is at work in this world and we can go toward it. Or we can choose to walk “east” away from God to build our own platforms, cities, and fame. We can be obsessed with how we look or sound in social situations or we can allow the Lord to shine through us. 

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2). 

How Did Nimrod Die?

Scripture does not say how Nimrod died. However, Jewish tradition in the Book of Jasher (mentioned earlier) says:

“And Esau at that time, after the death of Abraham frequently went in the field to hunt. Nimrod king of Babel, the same was Amraphel, also frequently went with his mighty men to hunt in the field, and to walk about with his men in the cool of the day. And Nimrod was observing Esau all the days, for a jealousy was formed in the heart of Nimrod against Esau all the days. And on a certain day Esau went in the field to hunt, and he found Nimrod walking in the wilderness with his two men. Nimrod and two of his men that were with him came to the place where they were, when Esau started suddenly from his lurking place, and drew his sword, and hastened and ran to Nimrod and cut off his head.” (Jasher 27:1-4, 7).

We do not know the historical truth behind the death of Nimrod. However, Nimrod’s death in the Jewish tradition sounds like how he lived: by the sword. 

Bottom Line

At some point, all of us have rebelled against God in large and small ways. Yet our merciful God will shut down our self-destructive building projects to show us how to build up His kingdom, in His power, and for His glory. 

There are two truths about God’s building projects. When God builds something it lasts forever and blesses others. That’s the kingdom building we want to be a part of. 

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• 10 Powerful Prayers for Repentance and Restoration
• 12 Powerful Scriptures to Pray for Financial Breakthrough

About the Author

Donna is a sought-after speaker, multi-published author, and Bible teacher. Her path from unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was difficult. Read about her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. If you purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.}

God’s promises to His people appear throughout God’s Word from Genesis to Revelation. In these explicit declarations, God promises to you and me salvation. He promises hope, perfect peace, love, deliverance, mercy, protection, and so much more. 

Over the past several weeks, I have been drawn to research God’s promises of the Bible. It has been an extraordinary journey. I culled out from literally thousands of these precious promises to only 100. But there are literally thousands.

The good news is that the more Bible study you do, the more you see His divine nature. His love and compassion are a constant presence throughout the Word of God. The promises made by our heavenly Father never fail. His covenant of love and every good thing flows into His people’s lives. I pray that you are encouraged today!

Promises About God

Malachi 3:6 – “I am the Lord, and I do not change.”

1 John 5:14 – “We have courage in God’s presence because we are sure that He hears us if we ask Him for anything that is according to His will.”

Isaiah 49:16 – “I have written your name on the palms of My hands.”

Psalm 24:1 – “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

Related post: The Biblical Meaning of Restore and Renew

God’s Mercy

Luke 1:50 – “And His mercy is for those who fear Him from generation to generation.”

Luke 1:78-79 – “Because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Romans 9:15-16 – “For He says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy. I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.”

Psalm 145:9 – “The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made.”

Romans 11:32 – “For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all.”

James 2:13 – “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Psalm 103:8 – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.”

Psalm 23:6 – “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Isaiah 30:18 – “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you. Therefore He exalts Himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”

Psalm 116:5 – “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.”

Related post: Encouraging Bible Verses When You Feel Alone

Love of God

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (This is God’s greatest promise!)

1 Corinthians 13:7-8 – “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

1 John 4:16 – “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”

1 John 4:7-9 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God. Whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.”

Romans 8:35-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

John 15:9-10 – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”

Related post: What Does the Bible Teach About Having a Pure Heart?

Faithful God

2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.”

Romans 3:3-4 – “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though everyone was a liar.”

Exodus 34:6-7 – “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. But with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

1 Corinthians 1:9 – “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

2 Timothy 2:13 – “If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny himself.”

Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

1 Peter 4:19 – “Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 – “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.”

Related post: 12 Powerful Scriptures to Pray for Financial Breakthrough

God’s Compassion

Micah 7:18-19 – “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? God does not retain his anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Deuteronomy 32:26 – “For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Psalm 147:13 – “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Psalm 78:38 – “Yet He, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them. He restrained his anger often and did not stir up all His wrath.”

Matthew 6:34 – “When Jesus went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them. They were like sheep without a shepherd.”

Related post: How Many Times Did Jesus Weep in the Bible?

God’s Grace

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

2 Corinthians 4:15 – “All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving. God will receive more and more glory.”

John 1:16 – “For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”

Acts 15:11 – “But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Romans 3:23-24 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Lamentations 3:22-24 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”

Related post: Inspiring Bible Verses to Encourage New Christians

Eternal Life

John 17:3 – “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

Matthew 19:29 – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my Name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

John 3:36 – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”

John 4:14 – “Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

John 5:24 – “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my Word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.”

John 6:27 – “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.”

​Related post: Brimstone & Fire-What is the Biblical Meaning?

Christ Jesus

2 Corinthians 1:20 – “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Romans 5:8 – “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

2 Timothy 2:11-13 – “The saying is trustworthy, for if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful.”

Psalm 36:5 – “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds.”

John 1:17 – “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

John 20:31 – “These are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”

Related post: Powerful Wednesday Morning Prayers and Blessings

Promise of Salvation

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”

Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

Acts 4:11-12 – “This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Related Post: The Lineage of Jacob and His Family in the Bible

Peace of God

Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Isaiah 54:10 – “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but My steadfast love shall not depart from you. My covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.

Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

1 Chronicles 22:18 – “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you peace on every side?”

Romans 16:20 – “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Matthew 25:21 – “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'”

Related Post: Powerful Bible Verses to Start Your Day With God

A New Heart

Ezekiel 36:26 – “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”

Mark 12:30 – “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”

John 7:38 – “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Acts 15:8-9 – “And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us. He made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.”

Romans 10:10 – “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

2 Corinthians 4:6 – “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Related post: How Many Times is Joy Mentioned in the Bible?

Forgiveness of Sins

1 John 1:9 – “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Psalm 103:2-4 – “Bless the Lord…who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”

Bible Study: Forgiveness: Received From God; Extended to Others

God’s Good Gifts

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.”

Psalm 31:19 – “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You.”

Psalm 46:1-2 –  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything. In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart exults, and with my song I shall thank Him.”

Acts 20:32 – “And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”

Genesis 1:28-30 – “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens. And to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.”

Related post: Best Christian Prayer Room Ideas to Strengthen Faith

Power of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:11 – “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you. He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of His Spirit who lives in you.”

Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Romans 14:17 – “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

2 Peter 1:3 – “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Related post: Powerful Prayer for God’s Protection from Psalm 91

Chosen by God

1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Deuteronomy 7:6 – “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

1 Peter 2:4 – “As you come to Him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

1 Thessalonians 1:4 – “For we know, brothers loved by God, that He has chosen you.”

Psalm 37:4 – “Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Colossians 3:3 – “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Bible Study: “Chosen: A Study of Esther”

Kingdom of God

Psalm 45:6 – “Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of​ justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.”

Hebrews 12:28-29 – “Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Psalm 36:5-7 – “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.”

Related post: 10 Powerful Prayers for Repentance and Restoration

Bottom Line

Throughout the Old Testament and New Testament, we see the scope of God and His sovereignty over our daily lives. The Word of the Lord reminds you that every aspect of your life is seen by God. God’s love over you is pure, true, and right.

Our living God watches over us in difficult times. His great promises, sealed with Jesus’ blood of the covenant, never fail. Praise be to God!

Related Posts:

• Free Bible in One Year Reading Plans (with Free Downloads)
• What Does the Bible Say About Sunrise and Sunset?
• 25 Powerful Bible Verses and Prayers for Safe Travel

About the Author

Donna is a sought-after speaker, multi-published author, and Bible teacher. Her path from unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was difficult. Read about her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. If you purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.}

If you are serious about spending more time reading the entire Bible in one year you have come to the right place. Intentional, daily readings of God’s Word reveal the big picture of God’s story.

These free printable Bible reading plans take you through the whole Bible in a year. Print the one(s) you like and get started reading Scripture on a regular basis.  

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Whether you are making a new year’s resolution or simply committing to read the Bible on a daily basis, this plan takes the guesswork out of it.

Each day’s reading takes you straight through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Each day’s assigned reading methodically works through the entire book in one year. 

​I have used this plan on and off for years. Some years I switch things up and use one of the other plans. The whole point is to spend daily time in God’s Word.

Simply work through this bible reading schedule and God will grant you a better understanding of Him and His plan for your life. Download HERE.

Related: Powerful Bible Verses to Start Your Day with God

One Year in the Psalms

Perhaps reading through all the books of the Bible feels intimidating. I certainly understand! Reading through the Psalms provides many different topics that paint an incredible canvas of God’s love, grace, and forgiveness.

This Bible reading plan walks you through the book of Psalms in one year. Some days your reading is one powerful verse; others it’s a short psalm. The Psalms hold some of the most beautiful words that we can use to praise the Lord. 

The Psalms touch on every human emotion imaginable. Over half of the Psalms were written by David. Extraordinary! Also, about one-third of the Psalms are laments that contain sorrow, questioning God, and much more.

This slower reading pace allows breathing space for God’s Word to sink deep into your soul. You can start this Bible reading chart any time of the year and devour the psalms a little bit each day. Download HERE.

Related: Powerful Prayer for God’s Protection from Psalm 91

Historical Overview One-Year Bible Reading Plan

This Bible reading plan offers a basic outline of the Old Testament readings and New Testament readings, then fills in readings with more detailed books. You will read the entire Bible!

The Old Testament follows a historical overview, then moves to the prophetic literature, followed by the wisdom literature, and Psalms (some twice). 

If you are drawn to history, then this plan is for you. It provides the Scriptures around certain events to better understand that particular time period or event. 

The New Testament readings with Christ’s birth and then moves into Acts (Luke’s sequel). Then you move into Ephesians, and pastoral epistles, followed by the rest. 

It may feel different to read through the Bible using this method. However, if you are already familiar with Scripture, this will shake things up! It’s just one of the different ways Scripture can be read. Download HERE.

Related: Top 10 Longest and Hardest Names in the Bible

Read the Bible at Your Own Pace

This one-year plan will guide you through the Word of God at your own pace. This a great way to go if you have a super busy schedule and cannot commit to reading every day of the week. 

It’s also a great choice if you are in a season of life with extra time. You can read for as long and as much as you like any day of the month. 

Some days may go faster than others, but the whole point is to stay in God’s Word regularly. His wonderful truths instruct, guide, and teach us. The Bible provides the encouragement we need to shine His light in a dark world.

During this journey through His Word, ask God each day to speak directly to you from Scripture. You will be blessed whether you read a whole book of the Bible in one sitting, an entire chapter, or just a few verses. 

They key is to approach your time in the Word with expectation. His story is our story and He has many things to teach us. Download HERE.

Related: 12 Powerful Scriptures to Pray for Financial Breakthrough

Read the Bible in 90 Days

Many people have never read the Bible cover to cover. This 90-days of reading will help you attentively read through the entire Bible.

Remember that this is not a competition with yourself just to check the “read” boxes. You will see God move in fresh ways if you commit to listening as you read. Pray each time you read to hear what God wants to you hear from His Word.

This is not a bible study method. This is reading Scripture almost like a novel. You are reading to catch the overarching story of God’s story. Absorb what you can and trust God for the rest.

Setting a daily reading goal is important because each day’s reading takes an average of 45-60 minutes. I highly recommend actually reading the Bible rather than listening to an audio version since distractions easily happen.

You’re on an important mission! So it’s crucial to grab additional reading time whenever possible. While waiting to meet friends. Waiting for the oven to pre-heat. Waiting in your child’s school car pick-up line. Perhaps arrive at church early and read in the pew before worship begins. Every ten minutes helps! Download HERE.

Related: Inspiring Bible Verses to Encourage New Christians

90-Day Chronological Bible Reading Plan

This is similar to the historical Bible reading plan above. However, it differs from other daily Bible reading plans in two ways. 

First, the daily readings are in chronological order according to when each book and part of Scripture was originally penned. For instance, one day’s reading in the Old Testament includes chapters from Psalms, 2 Samuel, and 1 Chronicles to put them in the proper timeline.

Second, this plan provides a unique overview of Old Testament history by following the dates each book was written. You will be flipping back and forth in New Testament passages, as well. 

In some places, one chapter of the New Testament book of Acts is “interrupted” by various chapters from 1 Corinthians and 1 Thessalonians. For instance, your first New Testament reading day includes chapters from Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John!

This plan keeps the time periods in order, which provides a wonderful new perspective of real-life events as they were recorded. This is the best option for history lovers. Download HERE.

Related: The Lineage of Jacob and His Family Tree

Consider Journaling

One of the practices that I’ve incorporated over the years as I read through the Scriptures is to take notes. That may seem odd, but it has provided a significant spiritual blessing. 

Each morning as I read through the day’s assignment, I jot down something that I learned for the first time. Sometimes, the words speak directly to what I’m going through in my life at the time. 

I keep those notes with me throughout the day. During quiet moments throughout the day, I pull out my note and re-read it. That practice has provided extra time to meditate on the Lord’s words throughout my day. 

I’ve learned that the extra meditation time allows me to recall the details and lessons in Scripture more readily. It provides time to think through the context and overarching story of those passages. 

Most importantly, God has used journaling to grow my faith exponentially. It has inspired me to write and publish Bible studies, daily devotions, and much more. 

Related: Best Pens and Supplies for Ultimate Bible Journaling

Bottom Line

No matter which plan you choose, each one (except the Psalms plan) will take you through the entire Bible. The plans make your Bible everyday blessings waiting to be discovered. 

These plans are for new believers and veteran Christians. Make one your own plan and get started. Simply print 2-sided, fold it over, and tuck your handy checklist in your Bible. It can serve as a bookmark for where you need to read next.

Through hard times, good times, and every time in between, include a Bible reading plan in your Bible study tools kit. You will learn just how much God and Jesus Christ love you.

Related Posts:

• 13 Best Bible Study Methods
• Warriors in the Bible: 13 Essential Life Lessons to Learn
• What is the Biblical Meaning of Restore and Renew

About the Author

Donna is a sought-after speaker, multi-published author, and Bible teacher. Her path from unchurched to becoming passionate about sharing Jesus was difficult. Read about her God-breathed journey: “From Unchurched to Becoming a Multi-Published Author and Sought-After Speaker.” If you want to send Donna a quick message, visit her here.

{Some of these links are affiliate links. If you purchase through that link, the ministry may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.}