October 12th, 25: Rediscovering Joy: The Day Israel Found Their Lost Story

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One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you.

TODAY'S EPISODE:

Welcome to Daily Radio Bible! In this episode for October 12th, 2025, your host Hunter—along with contributors from around the globe—invites us to gather around the Scriptures and be reminded of God’s steadfast love. Journeying through Nehemiah 7 and 8, and Acts 1, Hunter reflects on the power of rediscovering God’s Word after seasons of loss, drawing parallels to a loving Father who relentlessly seeks his children.

We witness the Israelites as they return from exile, hear the public reading of the Law for the first time in generations, and partake in joyous celebration as their identity and belonging in God’s story are restored. Hunter reminds us that the words of Scripture don’t just recount history—they reveal who we are and whose we are, inviting each of us to embrace the joy and strength found in God’s presence.

As always, today’s episode is brimming with community greetings from listeners around the world—Quebec to Beijing—and heartfelt prayers. Hunter also shares the importance of partnership in spreading the message, celebrating everyone who helps make this daily encounter possible.

Settle in, open your heart, and let the living Word kindle a deeper joy in you today.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

He finds what was lost. In Nehemiah, we see a remarkable occasion—not simply of a lost Bible, but of an entire people losing touch with their story, with the words that revealed who they were and who God is. After seventy years of exile, the Israelites had lost public reading of Scripture, the lifeline to their identity and God’s faithful love. When they finally heard the words of the Law read aloud, their hearts broke open with weeping. Why? Because the story was new to them—a story of a loving parent always seeking the lost child, of a God whose faithfulness was never forgotten, even during years away in captivity.

These exiled people were hearing for the first time that they were loved, that they were not forgotten. Their tears flowed because everything they believed about themselves was being rewritten: they were not just survivors, but beloved children, found by a seeking Father. Nehemiah tells them, “Don’t mourn or weep…for today is a sacred day before the Lord your God.” Because this is a day of celebration—what was lost had been found, what was dead was brought back to life.

Doesn’t that sound like the Gospel? The story of a loving Father who seeks and finds us, his children? There are seasons for grief, but also seasons for joy, for feasting, for sharing good things. Let your heart be warmed by the discovery that you are chosen, loved, and remembered by God. Your inclusion in his story is no accident; he has longed for you, sought you, and made you his own through his Son. Let every day be a celebration of the God who finds and the joy that is ours in him.

That’s a prayer for my own soul, for my family, for my wife, my daughters, my son. And that’s a prayer I have for you. May it be so.

TODAY'S PRAYERS:

Lord God Almighty and everlasting father you have brought us in safety to this new day preserve us with your Mighty power that we might not fall into sin or be overcome by adversity. And in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose  through Jesus Christ Our Lord amen.  

Oh God you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth and sent your blessed son to preach peace to those who are far and those who are near. Grant that people everywhere may seek after you, and find you. Bring the nations into your fold, pour out your Spirit on all flesh, and hasten the coming of your kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.  

And now Lord,  make me