Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 20:1-7.

Then all the people of Israel came out, from Dan to Beersheba, including the land of Gilead, and the congregation assembled as one man to the Lord at Mizpah. And the chiefs of all the people, of all the tribes of Israel, presented themselves in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 men on foot that drew the sword. (Now the people of Benjamin heard that the people of Israel had gone up to Mizpah.) And the people of Israel said, "Tell us, how did this evil happen?" And the Levite, the husband of the woman who was murdered, answered and said, "I came to Gibeah that belongs to Benjamin, I and my concubine, to spend the night. And the leaders of Gibeah rose against me and surrounded the house against me by night. They meant to kill me, and they violated my concubine, and she is dead. So I took hold of my concubine and cut her in pieces and sent her throughout all the country of the inheritance of Israel, for they have committed abomination and outrage in Israel. Behold, you people of Israel, all of you, give your advice and counsel here." — Judges 20:1-7

The scene opens with national unity—but not spiritual unity. Israel is outraged. The murder and dismemberment of the Levite's concubine shocks them into action. Four hundred thousand men march to Mizpah, ready to make war. But notice what's missing: there's no prayer, no repentance, no seeking God's will.

They are united in outrage, not obedience. They are loud about the problem, but blind to their part in it.

And the Levite—the one who caused this entire mess—plays the victim. He twists the story to make himself look righteous. He never admits his cowardice or cruelty. He blames everyone but himself.

This is what happens when moral outrage replaces moral conviction. It feels righteous. It sounds godly. But it's hollow—because it lacks repentance.

We do the same thing today. We rage against corruption in politics, immorality in culture, and sin in society—while ignoring the idols in our own homes. We tweet truth without living it. We protest evil but excuse pride. We call for justice but never kneel for mercy.

The Church must beware of becoming like Israel at Mizpah—loud in anger but silent in repentance. Before we correct the world, we must first let God correct us. The greatest threat to righteousness isn't the sin of others in the world but believers with unrepentant hearts. Revival begins with us, the righteous, getting right with God. So are you ready to remove the log from your eye?

"You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." — Matthew 7:5

ASK THIS:

1. Where have I confused moral anger with spiritual obedience?
2. Do I seek to fix others before I allow God to confront me?
3. How do I respond when God exposes my hypocrisy?
4. What would it look like to start repentance before reaction this week?

DO THIS:

• Identify one area where your outrage exceeds your obedience—and confess it.
• Lead your family in a moment of prayer, asking God to purify your hearts before you judge others.
• Replace complaining with confession; revival always starts at home.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, help me see the sin beneath my outrage. Break my pride before it hardens my heart. Teach me to repent before I react, and to seek Your truth before I speak mine. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Lord, I Need You."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:30.

"And all who saw it said, 'Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak.'" — Judges 19:30

After the concubine's body was divided and sent throughout Israel, the nation was stunned. The people were forced to face their own moral decay—something so grotesque that it defied explanation. They cried out, "Such a thing has never happened!" And yet, it had happened—because of their silence, their compromise, and their abandonment of God.

Israel had reached a point of no return. Evil was no longer outside their borders—it was within their tribes, their homes, and their hearts. And now, the nation that had ignored sin for generations was finally forced to see the cost of its complacency.

We're not far from this moment today. Our culture flaunts what it once feared. We parade what God calls perverse and applaud what He condemns. The Church, too, has grown numb—more comfortable debating truth than defending it. Like Israel, we've seen so much sin that we barely flinch anymore.

But evil always demands a response. It won't wait. It won't relent. And if we don't confront it, it will consume us.

The people of Israel were called to "consider, take counsel, and speak." That's not just good advice—it's a call to repentance and reform. To look honestly at the ruin, seek God's wisdom, and speak the truth boldly once more.

This is what revival looks like—it begins with seeing evil for what it is, grieving over it, and then turning to God for healing. We don't need louder outrage—we need deeper repentance.

It's time for believers and the Church collective to rise again—to speak truth into a world collapsing under the weight of lies, to lead with courage when others retreat, and to call a generation back to holiness.

Evil has spoken loudly. Now, it's time for the righteous to answer.

ASK THIS:

1. Where have you grown numb to evil in your life or culture?
2. What truth has God been asking you to speak that you've delayed?

DO THIS:

• Speak truth in love this week where culture has grown comfortable with sin.
• Lead your family, church, or circle in prayer for revival and holiness.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, let me never grow numb to evil. Give me courage to speak, wisdom to act, and humility to repent. Awaken Your Church, heal our land, and start that renewal in me. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"God Turn It Around."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:27-29.

"And her master rose up in the morning, and when he opened the doors of the house and went out to go on his way, behold, there was his concubine lying at the door of the house, with her hands on the threshold. He said to her, 'Get up, let us be going,' but there was no answer. Then he put her on the donkey, and the man rose up and went away to his home. And when he entered his house, he took a knife, and taking hold of his concubine he divided her, limb by limb, into twelve pieces, and sent her throughout all the territory of Israel. And all who saw it said, 'Such a thing has never happened or been seen from the day that the people of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt until this day; consider it, take counsel, and speak.'" — Judges 19:27-29

The Levite wakes up, steps over the woman he sacrificed, and shows no remorse—just disgust. He commands her like an object, and when she doesn't respond, he coldly dismembers her body and sends the pieces across Israel to spark outrage.

And it works. The people are horrified. They cry out in anger over the injustice—but not because they've repented, but because they're offended. It's the same kind of outrage we see today—loud, emotional, and self-righteous, but completely blind to personal guilt.

This is the tragic irony: we rage most fiercely against the sin that lives in us. The Levite is furious about moral decay—but he was part of it. He's outraged by the evil of others, while ignoring his own cowardice and cruelty.

We do the same thing. We're fine with moral relativism until it touches our lives. We excuse corruption until it costs us personally. We tolerate sin in society until it inconveniences us. Then suddenly, we rediscover moral standards—but only for others.

It's a dangerous cycle—one that keeps us from repentance and blinds us to hypocrisy. When we live by "our own truth," we lose the ability to see the truth at all.

Absolute truth doesn't bend to convenience—it exposes it.

So before we point fingers, we need to face the mirror. The greatest reform starts not with outrage, but with obedience. The change our world needs begins when believers stop blaming and start repenting.

ASK THIS:

1. What injustice angers you most—and how might it expose something within you?
2. How does moral relativism show up in your home, work, or church?
3. What would change if you sought repentance before outrage?

DO THIS:

• Practice discernment this week: measure opinions, policies, and cultural trends against God's absolute truth, not convenience.
• Live as a person of consistency—so your conviction speaks louder than your outrage.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, expose my hypocrisy. Show me where I've tolerated sin while condemning others. Teach me to repent before I react, and let my life reflect the truth I proclaim. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Refiner."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

And Happy New Year—today is January 1, 2026! As we step into a new year of studying God's Word, let's begin by asking Him to renew our courage and conviction.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:24-26.

"Behold, here are my virgin daughter and his concubine; let me bring them out now. Violate them and do with them what seems good to you, but against this man do not do this outrageous thing." But the men would not listen to him. So the man seized his concubine and made her go out to them. And they knew her and abused her all night until the morning. And as the dawn began to break, they let her go. And as morning appeared, the woman came and fell down at the door of the man's house where her master was, until it was light." — Judges 19:24-26

The horror of this passage is hard to read. The Levite—a man we might call a pastor today—shows no concern for his "girlfriend". He once pursued her, but not out of love—out of pride and control. When danger came, he threw her to the mob to save himself and then slept through the night while she suffered. The "pastor" slept through sin and suffering, proving that apathy is just as dangerous as outright evil.

The old man was no better, offering his own daughter to protect his reputation. Both men reflected a world that had lost God's heart—where leadership was selfish, morality was twisted, and compassion had collapsed.

We see this same crisis today. Some pulpits have gone silent while the culture burns. Many churches have grown comfortable, preaching peace while ignoring perversion. Leaders fear cancelation more than conviction, and believers trade boldness for belonging. It's the same sickness—call it the "Levite spirit"—that values comfort over courage and self-preservation over sacrifice.

When those called to lead stop leading, darkness fills the void. When shepherds sleep, the sheep scatter.

This is why we must awaken. Apathy may look harmless, but it's not. It destroys us, the church, the culture, and the innocent. The Church must rise again—not in outrage, but in obedience. We must stand for life, truth, and purity before compromise becomes collapse.

Now is the time to take courage. To speak the truth. To defend the innocent. To reject passive faith and rise up in active conviction. And as we step into a new year, let this be our spiritual reset. The world may celebrate resolutions, but we resolve to stand for righteousness, to begin this year with conviction that does not waver and courage that does not fade.

ASK THIS:

1. Who in your life is suffering because of someone's silence?
2. Where have you chosen comfort over courage?
3. What fears keep you from standing up for what's right?
4. How can you defend the vulnerable in your circle this week?

DO THIS:

• Identify one injustice or moral issue you've ignored—pray and take one small stand this week.
• Talk to your family about courage—teach them that silence is never neutral.
• Practice boldness in small things so you'll be ready for big ones.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, wake me up from complacency. Give me courage to stand for the innocent and to speak truth when it costs me. Let my faith be marked by conviction, not convenience. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Take Courage."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:16-23.

"And behold, an old man was coming from his work in the field at evening. The man was from the hill country of Ephraim, and he was sojourning in Gibeah. The men of the place were Benjaminites. And he lifted up his eyes and saw the traveler in the open square of the city. And the old man said, 'Where are you going, and where do you come from?' He said to him, 'We are passing from Bethlehem in Judah to the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, from which I come. I went to Bethlehem in Judah, and I am going to the house of the Lord, but no one has taken me into his house. We have straw and feed for our donkeys, with bread and wine for me and your female servant and the young man with your servants. There is no lack of anything.' And the old man said, 'Peace be to you; I will care for all your wants; only, do not spend the night in the square.' So he brought him into his house and gave the donkeys feed. And they washed their feet, and ate and drank. As they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, worthless fellows, surrounded the house, beating on the door. And they said to the old man, the master of the house, "Bring out the man who came into your house, that we may know him." And the man, the master of the house, went out to them and said to them, "No, my brothers, do not act so wickedly; since this man has come into my house, do not do this vile thing. " — Judges 19:16-23

This passage offers a flicker of hope—an old man who shows compassion to strangers when no one else would. But even here, courage is mixed with compromise. He welcomes them in, yet his warning is chilling: "Only, do not spend the night in the square." The city of Gibeah, once belonging to God's people, has become so corrupt that hospitality has turned to hostility.

The tragedy of Gibeah isn't just the wickedness of its men—it's the silence of its good ones. Evil thrives when the faithful grow fearful, when believers retreat instead of resist. The old man does what's comfortable, not what's courageous. He shelters the Levite, but he never confronts the culture.

This same paralysis infects our world today. We see evil advancing—violence, perversion, confusion, and godlessness—but too often, we stay quiet. We fear rejection more than judgment, conflict more than compromise. We've become polite in the face of sin.

But our silence in this time is not neutrality—it's surrender. When good men stay silent, evil speaks louder. When the righteous sit back, the wicked will take over.

God is still calling his people to stand—to speak truth even when it costs, to show courage even when it's unpopular, to defend righteousness even when the world mocks.

Don't just be kind—be courageous. Have courageous confrontations. Because courage changes the course of a nation. Gibeah would one day rise again under Saul as Israel's first capital—a reminder that when one good man steps up to lead with conviction, God can redeem even the darkest places.

ASK THIS:

1. Where are you choosing comfort over courage?
2. What sin in your culture or circle have you been silent about?
3. How can you confront evil with both truth and grace?
4. What would bold obedience look like for you today?

DO THIS:

• Replace fearful silence with faithful action—pray, post, or stand for righteousness where others won't.
• Lead by example in your home: confront sin lovingly, not passively.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, give me the courage to speak when it's easier to stay silent. Help me confront evil with both conviction and compassion. Let my words and actions bring light where darkness reigns. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Stand In Your Love."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:10-15.

This story forces us to look beyond names and appearances. Israel still carries God's name, but their hearts are far from Him. It's the same challenge for us today—to be a people whose lives reflect the heart of the God we proclaim.

"But the man would not spend the night; he rose up and departed and arrived opposite Jebus (that is, Jerusalem). He had with him a couple of saddled donkeys, and his concubine was with him. When they were near Jebus, the day was nearly over, and the servant said to his master, 'Come now, let us turn aside to this city of the Jebusites and spend the night in it.' And his master said to him, 'We will not turn aside into the city of foreigners, who do not belong to the people of Israel; but we will pass on to Gibeah.' And he said to his servant, 'Come and let us draw near to one of these places and spend the night at Gibeah or at Ramah.' So they passed on and went their way. And the sun went down on them near Gibeah, which belongs to Benjamin. And they turned aside there, to go in and spend the night in Gibeah. And he went in and sat down in the open square of the city, for no one took them into his house to spend the night." — Judges 19:10-15

The Levite refuses to stay in Jebus—a pagan city—because he assumes it's unsafe. Instead, he chooses Gibeah, a city of Israelites, his own people. Surely, among believers, he'll find refuge and righteousness. But he doesn't. He sits in the open square, and no one takes him in.

This is more than a travel story. It's a tragedy of misplaced trust. Gibeah should have been a beacon of hospitality and faithfulness. Instead, it's a spiritual wasteland—Israelite in name but pagan in practice.

We see the same pattern today. Many cities, schools, and even churches bear names that sound holy—"Trinity," "Grace," "Bethlehem"—yet they reflect none of the God they claim to honor. Their doors are open, but their hearts are closed. Their signs declare faith, but their culture denies it.

And if we're honest, it's not just the cities—it's us. Too many believers bear Christ's name but live as practical atheists. We talk about faith, but we don't depend on it. We proclaim grace, but we don't extend it. We wear crosses but carry none of their weight.

Like Gibeah, we've confused proximity to truth with obedience to it. And that deception is deadly.

It's not enough to claim the name of Jesus; our lives must reveal His nature. Our words, our choices, our homes, and our churches should bear the evidence of His transforming power. The world doesn't need more people who simply bear God's name—it needs a people who embody His heart. Authentic believers who live what they profess, reflect His character, and restore His reputation in a watching world.

You may live in a city with a Christian name, attend a church with a cross on its roof, or post Bible verses online—but the real question is: Can anyone tell that Christ lives in you?

ASK THIS:

1. Where are you relying on reputation instead of righteousness?
2. Does your life reflect the name of Jesus or the nature of the world?
3. How can you model true hospitality, generosity, or holiness this week?
4. What's one step you can take to live as an authentic believer today?

DO THIS:

• Examine one area of your life where your actions don't align with your beliefs.
• Let your name—and your home—reflect the character of the God you claim to follow.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, make me more than a name-bearer. Let my faith be real, my actions be righteous, and my home be open. Keep me from the hypocrisy of hollow religion, and make me a living witness of Your truth. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Evidence."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Read more about Project23 and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video.

Our text today is Judges 19:4-9.

"And his father-in-law, the girl's father, made him stay, and he remained with him three days. So they ate and drank and spent the night there. And on the fourth day they arose early in the morning, and he prepared to go, but the girl's father said to his son-in-law, 'Strengthen your heart with a morsel of bread, and after that you may go.' So the two of them sat and ate and drank together. And the girl's father said to the man, 'Be pleased to spend the night, and let your heart be merry.'" — Judges 19:4-9

This scene feels harmless—two men eating, drinking, laughing, and delaying their journey. But beneath the surface, the nation reveals itself to be completely desensitized to holiness.

The Levite and his father-in-law are Israelites, descendants of Abraham, men who should know the covenant and honor the Lord. Yet there's no mention of prayer, no reflection on repentance, no concern for God's will. Only indulgence. Self-gratification. Endless feasting and comfort.

They look like men at peace—but it's not. It's the peace of distraction, not devotion. The peace of full bellies and empty hearts.

And notice where they are—Bethlehem, "the house of bread." A place that should symbolize God's provision has become a house of pleasure. These are supposed to be God's people, yet you can't tell them apart from the world around them. Today, the same confusion fills our culture. Christians binge what the world watches, laugh at what the world listens to, and chase the same comforts and conveniences. The line between the sacred and the secular has blurred so much that many can't tell the difference.

But Jesus never called us to blend in—He called us to stand out. To live holy. To look different. To love differently. To lead homes that don't reflect the world, but reflect Christ.

Bethlehem may have been filled with Israelites, but their hearts were filled with idolatrous activities. And if we're not careful, our homes can become just as spiritually hollow.

Stop living like the culture and expecting God's continued approval. Your Godliness begins with you at home. If you want the world to see the difference, they need to see it first in you.

ASK THIS:

1. Where has comfort made you spiritually lazy?
2. Can others tell by your life that you belong to Christ?
3. How does your home reflect holiness—or worldly habits?
4. What's one way you can lead your family to live differently this week?

DO THIS:

• Lead your family in one act of obedience—read Scripture together, serve a neighbor, or repent together in prayer.
• Ask God to make your home a holy contrast to the culture.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, open my eyes to the ways I've looked like the world. Strip away my comfort and awaken my conviction. Make my home distinct, my faith courageous, and my heart devoted fully to You. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Set Apart."