DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
APRIL 20, 2026
READ: 1 Chronicles 17 (Focus vs. 16-22)
MEMORY VERSE
“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” 1 Chronicles 17:16
BACKGROUND
A pilot and his two daughters took off from Soldotna, Alaska, on a sightseeing trip. Their small plane, however, never made it to its destination.
After several local pilots began searching for the missing aircraft, one named Terry Godes finally spied its nearly submerged wreckage on a partially frozen lake. The three family members were standing on its wings as they had been for hours.
Thankfully, the trio was soon rescued by the National Guard. Godes humbly sacrificed his time and resources for others—leading to lives being saved. In humility, he said of his efforts, “I was just the guy that saw the plane first.”
King David sacrificed much for the people of Israel, including battling to save them from their enemies (1 Chronicles 14:8-17). Then he heard from the prophet Nathan that through his bloodline a throne would be “established forever,” as fulfilled in Christ (17:14; see Luke 1:30-33).
He replied in humility, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (1 Chronicles 17:16). He knew that his life was established by God and His will (v. 19) and that He had ultimately done the work of rescue and redemption for David and his people (vv. 20-22).
Jesus “humbled himself” and made the ultimate sacrifice for us (Philippians 2:8). As He helps us, let’s humbly sacrifice our lives for others.
Tom Felten
INSIGHT
The books of Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles offer two approaches to Israel’s kingdom story. In 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings, the focus is on the kings and prophets of Israel—from Saul to the final kings of the divided kingdom era.
By contrast, 1 and 2 Chronicles focus on the kings of Judah and the priesthood and development of the temple. The writer of 1 Chronicles—which Jewish tradition says was Ezra the priest—considers David’s prayer (1 Chronicles 17:16-22; see 2 Samuel 7:18-29).
The prayer has a priestly tone to it, with its emphasis on Yahweh as the covenant-keeping God of Israel.
David humbly sacrificed for the people of Israel, but he acknowledged that God is the one who has redeemed His people: “You made your people Israel your very own forever, and you, Lord, have become their God” (1 Chronicles 17:22).
Today, as we reflect on the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for us, we can humbly respond in sacrifice to Him and others.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
Why is humility before God so important? What will it mean for you to humbly sacrifice for others?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Jesus “humbled himself” and made the ultimate sacrifice for us. As He helps us, let’s humbly sacrifice our lives for (Him) and others.”
PR’s TAKE
“They that know God will be humble, and they that know themselves cannot be proud.” John Flavel
“A truly humble man is sensitive of his natural distance from God; of his dependence on Him; of the insufficiency of his own power and wisdom and that it’s by God’s power he is upheld and provided for and that he needs God’s wisdom to lead and guide him and His might to enable him to do what he ought to do for Him.” Jonathan Edwards
PRAYER
“Loving God, please help me to humbly sacrifice for You and others.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HUMILITY”
Humility, thou secret vale,
Unknown to proud in heart;
Where show’rs of blessing never fail,
And glories ne’er depart.
Oh, make thy blest abode with me,
Thou angel of the sky;
If I may ever dwell with thee,
My soul shall never die.
Humility, how pure thy place!
Thou seat of holiness!
Thou door of entrance into grace
And everlasting bliss!
Oh (humility) make thy blest abode with me…
Humility, how calm the breast
That knows thy peace sublime!
Within thy courts our perfect rest
Grows sweeter all the time.
Oh (humility) make thy blest abode with me…
Humility, thou shoreless sea
Of perfect love so deep!
Thy crystal waters cover me,
My helpless soul to keep.
Oh, make thy blest abode with me,
Thou angel of the sky;
If I may ever dwell with thee,
My soul shall never die.
