Daily Bible Reading 16th September 2026 // Luke 12:1-12
1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
There are, however, very wonderful compensations and rewards for true discipleship. For one thing, there is the reality of the care of God (6, 7), The personal, guardian care of God for His people passes all understanding in its tenderness and sweetness. There is such a thing as the fellowship of His sufferings, and in that glad and intimate relationship we prove in ways otherwise impossible that He does care, and take note of all that we suffer for His sake. We can trust Him to look after our interests. He will not fail us, or let us down. Every detail of our lives is a concern to Him. For another thing, we are assured of final vindication: confession before the Father, and the divine accolade, 'Well done, good and faithful servant....' - these are not fanciful matters; in the end, they are the only things that will matter! And, in the meanwhile, there will be the constant and timely help and support of the Holy Spirit (11, 12). He is promised as a Sufficiency to all who are true to Jesus. No crisis will find us unprepared or unsupported. He is the Mighty Advocate of the people of God. Well, this sets the sufferings of believers in their true perspective and sends shafts of glory gleaming through every kind of darkness! Be of good cheer, suffering, pressurised child of God: you are on the victory side!