Come Now, Let Us Reason Together: A Daily Devotional Guide and Food for Thought

By Rusty Dawson

Come Now, Let Us Reason Together is a daily devotional guide and food for thought from the scriptures. It is also a resource for church bulletin articles, short devotional talks, and ideas that could develop into sermons. Besides 365 daily devotionals, there are a number of thoughts that relate to special occasions and holidays.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891129399

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Introduction

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

Day 26

Day 27

Day 28

Day 29

Day 30

Day 31

Day 32

Day 33

Day 34

Day 35

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40

Day 41

Day 42

Day 43

Day 44

Day 45

Day 46

Day 47

Day 48

Day 49

Day 50

Day 51

Day 52

Day 53

Day 54

Day 55

Day 56

Day 57

Day 58

Day 59

Day 60

Day 61

Day 62

Day 63

Day 64

Day 65

Day 66

Day 67

Day 68

Day 69

Day 70

Day 71

Day 72

Day 73

Day 74

Day 75

Day 76

Day 77

Day 78

Day 79

Day 80

Day 81

Day 82

Day 83

Day 84

Day 85

Day 86

Day 87

Day 88

Day 89

Day 90

Day 91

Day 92

Day 93

Day 94

Day 95

Day 96

Day 97

Day 98

Day 99

Day 100

Day 101

Day 102

Day 103

Day 104

Day 105

Day 106

Day 107

Day 108

Day 109

Day 110

Day 111

Day 112

Day 113

Day 114

Day 115

Day 116

Day 117

Day 118

Day 119

Day 120

Day 121

Day 122

Day 123

Day 124

Day 125

Day 126

Day 127

Day 128

Day 129

Day 130

Day 131

Day 132

Day 133

Day 134

Day 135

Day 136

Day 137

Day 138

Day 139

Day 140

Day 141

Day 142

Day 143

Day 144

Day 145

Day 146

Day 147

Day 148

Day 149

Day 150

Day 151

Day 152

Day 153

Day 154

Day 155

Day 156

Day 157

Day 158

Day 159

Day 160

Day 161

Day 162

Day 163

Day 164

Day 165

Day 166

Day 167

Day 168

Day 169

Day 170

Day 171

Day 172

Day 173

Day 174

Day 175

Day 176

Day 177

Day 178

Day 179

Day 180

Day 181

Day 182

Day 183

Day 184

Day 185

Day 186

Day 187

Day 188

Day 189

Day 190

Day 191

Day 192

Day 193

Day 194

Day 195

Day 196

Day 197

Day 198

Day 199

Day 200

Day 201

Day 202

Day 203

Day 204

Day 205

Day 206

Day 207

Day 208

Day 209

Day 210

Day 211

Day 212

Day 213

Day 214

Day 215

Day 216

Day 217

Day 218

Day 219

Day 220

Day 221

Day 222

Day 223

Day 224

Day 225

Day 226

Day 227

Day 228

Day 229

Day 230

Day 231

Day 232

Day 233

Day 234

Day 235

Day 236

Day 237

Day 238

Day 239

Day 240

Day 241

Day 242

Day 243

Day 244

Day 245

Day 246

Day 247

Day 248

Day 249

Day 250

Day 251

Day 252

Day 253

Day 254

Day 255

Day 256

Day 257

Day 258

Day 259

Day 260

Day 261

Day 262

Day 263

Day 264

Day 265

Day 266

Day 267

Day 268

Day 269

Day 270

Day 271

Day 272

Day 273

Day 274

Day 275

Day 276

Day 277

Day 278

Day 279

Day 280

Day 281

Day 282

Day 283

Day 284

Day 285

Day 286

Day 287

Day 288

Day 289

Day 290

Day 291

Day 292

Day 293

Day 294

Day 295

Day 296

Day 297

Day 298

Day 299

Day 300

Day 301

Day 302

Day 303

Day 304

Day 305

Day 306

Day 307

Day 308

Day 309

Day 310

Day 311

Day 312

Day 313

Day 314

Day 315

Day 316

Day 317

Day 318

Day 319

Day 320

Day 321

Day 322

Day 323

Day 324

Day 325

Day 326

Day 327

Day 328

Day 329

Day 330

Day 331

Day 332

Day 333

Day 334

Day 335

Day 336

Day 337

Day 338

Day 339

Day 340

Day 341

Day 342

Day 343

Day 344

Day 345

Day 346

Day 347

Day 348

Day 349

Day 350

Day 351

Day 352

Day 353

Day 354

Day 355

Day 356

Day 357

Day 358

Day 359

Day 360

Day 361

Day 362

Day 363

Day 364

Day 365

April Fool's Day

Easter

Mother's Day

Father's Day

Fourth of July

Labor Day

The Month of November

Daylight Savings

Memorial Day

Christmas

End of the Year / New Years

New Years

About the Author

cover.jpg

Come Now, Let Us Reason Together

A Daily Devotional Guide and Food for Thought

Rusty Dawson

ISBN 979-8-89112-938-2 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89112-939-9 (Digital)

Copyright © 2024 Rusty Dawson

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

To Shirley, my constant and faithful companion.

Introduction

The devotional guide before you takes its title from the well-known plea in Isaiah 1:18, ‘Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord. The word reason can be translated in various ways, but the meaning at its core in Isaiah 1 is that the Lord is calling us to a reasonable response to Him and His will. Job used the word in the sense of presenting a case in the legal sense (Job 23:4–7). The Lord calls us to hear Him and find correction in all He has revealed. He longs to be our savior rather than to be our judge; therefore, He wants us to reason together with Him.

All of God's word is directed to us in a way that we might respond to His love and His commandments, and thereby grow closer to Him. He has a purpose for us, and we can find that purpose in our lives as we read, study, and meditate upon His word.

This book is the result of several years of writing short articles and devotional food for thought. Most of the articles have appeared in church bulletins from the Church of Christ at Little near Seminole, Oklahoma, and from the Stilwell Church of Christ, in Stilwell, Oklahoma. Some have appeared in House to House, Heart to Heart as well as in the Stilwell Democrat Journal, a weekly newspaper in Stilwell, Oklahoma.

Since most of the daily devotionals have been used as bulletin articles, they could serve that purpose in your church bulletin. I only ask that you acknowledge the publication and authorship and present the articles without alteration. There are several articles relating to holiday times after the daily devotional guide. In addition, those who are called upon to present devotional thoughts to various groups could use the articles, at least, as starting points. I believe the thoughts could also be expanded into sermons.

My hope and prayer is that you will find these devotional thoughts useful and thought-provoking. May God bless you as you travel on your spiritual journey.

Day 1

Can We Talk?

The book of Isaiah was written to Judah and Jerusalem at a terrible time in their history. Isaiah 1:4 characterizes their problem, They have abandoned the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they have turned away from Him. The result of rejecting God's will was the destruction of their land and a coming invasion and captivity. Isaiah 1:6 portrays the nation with the image of someone who has been beaten up: From the sole of the foot even to the head there is nothing sound in it, only bruises, welts, and raw wounds. Not pressed out or bandaged, not softened with oil.

Yet there was hope! Isaiah 1:18 offered an alternative to their doom: ‘Come now, and let us reason together,' says the Lord, ‘Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.' Of course, there were conditions. If they would consent and obey, they could be restored. If they continued in rebellion their land would be devoured by the sword (Isaiah 1:19–20).

The Lord's offer to reason together with them is much like His offer to anyone who is living away from His will. When we have been beaten down by our disastrous choice of sin, we need care for our wounds. God desires our redemption and forgiveness. God desires that the glowing scarlet of our willful sin be turned as white as snow. He reasons with us all according to the power of His word in order to place us back on that path that leads to life. When God says, Can we talk? He really is asking us, Will you listen?

Day 2

Are You the Owner?

I received a call from a salesperson trying to get me to buy new doors for the church building. He asked an interesting question: Are you the owner? I suppose he was interested in whether I had the authority to make such a purchase, but what a question!

Of course, I am not the owner of the church! No one should ever want to be a member of the Church of Rusty. I have no power or authority to make eternal promises. I have not died for anyone's sins. There is no power in my blood. In fact, I don't even have the authority to obligate the congregation to pay for new doors. That's a decision for the elders.

However, although I am not the owner of the church, I know who is. In Acts 20:28, Paul was talking to the elders from the church in Ephesus, and he reminded them of their duty to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. The church belongs to God by right of purchase. His plan to redeem the lost was accomplished through the blood of Jesus.

For that reason, the church also belongs to Jesus Christ. He promised in Matthew 16:18: On this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. The church belongs to Jesus by the right and power of His sacrificial death on the cross.

Everyone should want to be a member of that church because one day Jesus will present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish (Ephesians 5:27).

Day 3

Slippery

One of the big problems with ice, especially in the winter, is that the foundation we rely on is compromised. We depend on staying on our feet and our wheels staying on the road, but with ice, we are in danger of slipping.

The Bible talks about that principle in spiritual terms in Psalm 73. The psalm begins with a lament, My feet came close to stumbling; my steps had almost slipped (v. 2). The reason for this loss of foundation was looking into the world and realizing that evil people sometimes prosper. Verse 12 sums up this feeling: Behold, these are the wicked; and always at ease, they have increased in wealth. People tend to think that good things should only happen to good people and bad things should always happen to bad people. We will be disappointed if we hold to that attitude, and we may even come to the conclusion of the psalmist, Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure, and washed my hands in innocence (Psalm 73:13). If we can see no reward for righteousness, we may believe we have followed God in vain. Verse 16 adds, When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight.

The solution for all who find this troublesome is to get God's perspective. Psalm 73:17 says this was confusing, Until I came into the sanctuary of God; then I perceived their end. People who have chosen to follow God may not find heaven on earth. Life here may hold suffering and loss, but we must endure to the end and find God's eternal reward. Even those who choose not to follow God right now may change their minds and also find God's eternal reward.

Psalm 73 ends with a restoration of a godly foundation. Verse 28 concludes, But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all Thy works. As we hold fast to our foundation, we have a chance to tell of God's glory and His true reward.

Day 4

Love One Another

People are meant to be loved; things are meant to be used. Much of the misery and conflict in the world is the result of switching those two thoughts.

If we view other people as a means of fulfilling some agenda, we will use and misuse them. If they happen to fit into our plans, we will allow them to help us make some progress but then cast them aside. Too many of us know the pain and bear the emotional scars of being regarded as objects and left behind once we have served someone's purpose.

God's plan for human relationships is much different. First John chapter 4 concentrates on this commitment that we are to have toward one another. We find in verses 7–8, Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. At the end of that chapter, God tells us, This commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also (1 John 4:21). That commandment was stated by Jesus: By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).

The challenge of this kind of love is that it means much more than a feeling. The love that God prescribes is patient and kind. It rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:4–6). First John 4:10 describes the sacrificial love God has for mankind in that He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another (1 John 4:11).

Day 5

Who Holds Your Controls?

Years ago, my wife and I bought an electric blanket. One of the really nice features was that it had dual controls; she controlled her side, and I controlled mine. That was a great convenience, except that somehow the controls got switched under the bed. Therefore, when my wife was cold, she thought she was boosting the heat on her side, but she was really making my side warmer. I wondered why I was so warm, so I turned my heat lower. You can see where that led. All of that cold winter night, she froze, and I burned up because we were not holding our own controls.

We often hand over our controls to someone else. When we make a statement like, He makes me so mad, we are confessing that we allowed someone to create an emotional response in ourselves. No one can really make us angry or sad or frustrated unless we allow them to do that. Cain's anger at his brother tempted him to sin, yet God told him, If you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but should rule over it (Genesis 4:6). We know from Genesis 4 that Cain did not rule over that temptation and committed the first murder. Loss of personal control often leads to big trouble.

Along with taking charge of our own emotions and responses, we really need to give God control of our lives. Colossians 3:15 commands us, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. When Christ is our Lord and God is our King, we have the right ones in control of our lives. This leads to our peace and thankfulness.

Day 6

Fake News

One of the challenges to anyone who wants to be informed about current events is the issue of fake news. Media of all sorts are full of stories that have only a slight resemblance to the truth. Too often it seems our only alternatives are to be uninformed or misinformed.

At the heart of this problem is a trend away from news reporters. Instead of reporters, too often we have news personalities and news celebrities whose aim is to make themselves more important than the story. More attention is given to gaining greater numbers in their audience than to giving their listeners the truth. The problem is advanced by the desire of listeners to hear what they want instead of the truth.

A similar trend was noted long ago in the challenge to know the truth about salvation. Second Timothy 4:3 warns, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers. Even true prophets were not immune from shallow and casual listeners. Ezekiel 33:32 says to the prophet, Behold, you are to them like a sensual song by one who has a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not practice them.

Sermon celebrities and religious personalities can accumulate great numbers of followers by their soothing words to itching ears. God's solution is to preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2). The rebukes, which often come with sound doctrine, will not gain a lot of popularity. Yet it is still the truth and only the truth that will bring us to the cleansing power of the blood of Christ.

Day 7

The Endurance of God's Love

How long will God love me? The simple answer is that God's love endures forever. Romans 8:38–39 tells us, That neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. In this context, that is a special promise to those who are in Christ Jesus, but as a general principle, it is a statement of the perfect endurance of God's love. There is no power that can take us away from His love if we are willing to abide there.

However, there is a difference between God's love and the blessings of His love. John 3:16 is a great statement: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. That raises the question, but what about those who don't believe in Him? Disbelievers are still loved by God. Romans 5:8 says, God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God loves sinners and the rebellious and even mockers, but those who continue in their rejection will not receive the full blessings of God's love. Jesus makes a separation between the righteous and the unrighteous in Matthew 25. Verse 46 says, These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life. Those who live and die without faith that leads to obedience will suffer eternal separation from God. He loved them enough to make salvation possible for them, but they did not love Him so as to obey. The potential for blessings was there for them, but they did not inherit the benefits of the love of God through faith. God's love presents the blessings of salvation and eternal life before all of us. We can choose wisely and in faith to inherit the full benefits of God's love.

Day 8

As We Pray

The sermon on the mount expresses some of the most challenging words in all the scriptures. Matthew 5:43–44 is the pinnacle of Christ's challenge to our compassion. He said, You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you. That was certainly personally hard to accept in the first century. Jesus directed His followers to offer prayer for persecutors and oppressors and for those who were determined to take the lives of those who simply wanted to live godly lives of faith. Few things could be more unnatural or even distasteful to love and pray for such enemies, yet Christ's words are unmistakable. Those who follow Jesus are not to follow the path of revenge and hatred but to love and pray even for our enemies.

In the present conflicts in the world, that means Christians should be praying even for the leaders of aggression and persecution. Although that may seem almost insane, Jesus has thus directed us. We do not need to pray for the oppressors' success or victory, but we can ask God to intervene, to bring godliness to those leaders and commanders, and to turn their hearts away from war, to turn their hearts from hostility to peace.

Prayers for our enemies do not remove our need to pray for our neighbors, friends, and allies. We pray for the leaders and the people who face terrible foreign attacks. We pray for soldiers from our nation who may be drawn into these conflicts. We pray for our leaders and the leaders of our allies. They are making critical decisions, which likely will affect the lives and peace of millions of people. We pray that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Day 9

Learn This Secret

Paul wrote from his prison cell in Rome, I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am (Philippians 4:11). That is truly a remarkable attitude for someone in jail, but notice that the Bible says this perspective is a matter of learning. Most people can be content with prosperity and abundance, but even the good times may challenge our contentment. Yet when we have times of suffering, those require a special determination to hold on to faith and trust in God.

Paul continues, In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need (Philippians 4:12). This is a secret that eludes many, yet the key to this attitude is not so mysterious. We find the reason for such contentment in the next verse: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

God is good, even when times are not good. God is good even when we suffer. God is good at all times. Nahum 1:7 says, The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who take refuge in Him. When life is easy and things are going right for us, we may tend to forget our need for God. However, we need Him in the good times, just as we need Him in the days of trouble, and in all things, He gives us strength.

Day 10

Judicial Activism

Many have a great concern that in our legal system, some judges seem to create new laws rather than operate within the realm of existing laws. Those who object say that it is the business of the legislators rather than judges to enact laws. Probably, we will never completely resolve this debate about civil law.

However, in regard to God's law, the scriptures have completely resolved this issue. Deuteronomy 4:2 warns, You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I commanded you. When people take on the role of judicial activists in the word God has revealed, they have gone beyond their authority. James 4:11 says, If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge of it.

A man named Richard Baxter wrote this in 1694: For what man dare go in a way which has neither precept nor example to warrant it? Can that be obedience which has no command for it…? O, the pride of man's heart, that instead of being a law-obeyer, will be a law-maker!

Romans 6:17 speaks of the obedience that frees us from the oppression of sin: Thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed. If we become judges of God's commandments, then it is likely we will reject His narrow way and substitute our own broad way. This approach will not free us from the slavery of sin. On the other hand, if we commit ourselves to obeying what God has revealed, we will find the way of His salvation and be set free by His truth (John 8:32).

Day 11

Change of Attitude

When Jesus came to Jerusalem, as recorded in Matthew 21, the crowds were so excited, they shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David (Matthew 21:9). The whole city was stirred with enthusiasm as they welcomed Jesus as their king (v. 10–11).

In just a few short days, the mood of the crowd had changed. The rulers of the Jews delivered Jesus to Pilate to be crucified. Even though Pilate offered to release Jesus, the crowd kept shouting all the more, saying, ‘Let Him be crucified!' (Matthew 27:23). Pilate feared that a riot was starting, so he washed his hands of the matter and turned Jesus over to be crucified" (Matthew 27:24–26).

How can we understand this drastic change of attitude in such a short time? Part of the answer is that crowds are fickle and easily led. The enemies of Jesus were hard at work trying to change their feelings toward Jesus. It should not surprise us that the anger, hatred, and prejudice won out over positive feelings. Possibly, those who welcomed Jesus were quite a different group from the haters. Many have observed that evil triumphs when good is silent. Others have felt that those who saw Jesus as a military solution to Roman occupation were disappointed when they realized His kingdom is not of this world. In all of this, we should remember God's plan was for Christ to go to the cross and to be raised up on the third day (Matthew 16:21).

Perhaps the greatest lesson for us is to be steadfast and not so easily changed to oppose Christ. John 6:66 records a time when many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore. When Jesus asked the twelve if they also would go away, Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of life (John 6:68). If we want life, we will hold fast to Christ.

Day 12

Care for the Poor

God and His people have always had a special ministry of blessing to the poor. As the apostle Paul began his work for the kingdom, he spoke with the other apostles about the ministry of the Gospel. Specifically, they only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do (Galatians 2:10). Isaiah tells us about God's special care, Thou hast been a defense of the helpless, a defense for the need in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat (Isaiah 25:4). Those examples teach us that we should have compassionate care for those who suffer afflictions.

At the same time, our care should not be limited to helping with material means. Jesus said that the poor would always be with us (Matthew 26:11), and so as we help, our assistance should be aimed at spiritual as well as physical blessings.

John the Baptist sent his disciples to question Jesus about His identity as the Messiah. Jesus answered by saying, Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them (Matthew 11:4–5). Along with the great miracles Jesus performed, the proof of His identity is also connected to raising people out of spiritual poverty.

We often have occasions to help with food and other needs. As we do that, let's make sure that we help with the saving of souls through the Gospel of Christ.

Day 13

When God Has Blessed Me

Many people recognize that God has poured out His mercy and blessings upon all mankind in abundance. And many who have experienced His grace feel the need to do something about that. Psalm 116:12–13 addresses that feeling. Verse 12 asks, What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? The answer in verse 13 is, I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.

That may seem like a small return for such a great benefit, but really, nothing we do could ever come close to what God has done for us. The price of our spiritual redemption challenges our comprehension. First Corinthians 6:20 tells the redeemed, You were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in our body and in your spirit, which are God's. The cost to God was the sacrifice of His only begotten Son. The cost to Jesus was the agony He endured on the cross. The cost to us is at once priceless, yet free. Romans 6:23 reminds us, The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God offers to pay for our way out of sin, by the blood of Christ, and He makes that offer as a gift.

What shall we offer to God? God does not demand a pilgrimage or for us to take up arms in a crusade. God asks us to give Him ourselves. Romans 12:2 says, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Rather than being conformed to the world, God asks that we be transformed by His power (v. 3). That action does not pay God back. Rather, it is the response of our love to the great love God has showered upon us.

Day 14

Examine Yourself

First Corinthians 11:27 gives us an important warning. In reference to the Lord's Supper, it says, Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. The commemoration of Christ's sacrifice and the remembrance of that sacred event should be so serious and so solemn in our minds that we partake in a way that reflects our humility and our love, and acknowledges our unworthiness to receive the blessings of God's grace. Indeed, we should approach all of worship with that attitude.

However, the admonition in verse 27 is not meant to stop us from communion with the Lord. Verse 28 says, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat the bread and drink of the cup. The scripture is telling us that we need a self-examination in regard to our motives, the focus of our attention, and our mindset as we take these emblems in remembrance of Jesus. No one has the authority to make that judgment for us; we examine ourselves.

At the same time, we need a personal commitment not to take the Lord's Supper in a frivolous or otherwise unworthy manner. Verse 29 reminds us, For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly. The worthy manner of verse 27 is a dedication to holding Jesus and the cross in our memory as we honor His sacrifice. As we partake, let us truly do that in remembrance of Him.

Day 15

The Power of Light

John 1:5 speaks of Jesus and the light that He brought to mankind. The verse says, The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. Many Bible translations add a footnote there. The verse could say, The darkness did not overpower it. The word in question literally means to lay hold of. Darkness has trouble grasping light.

On the one hand, darkness had a built-in disability in understanding what the light of God is all about. That helps explain what John 1:11 says about Jesus: He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. The ministry of Jesus points out many times that His contemporaries didn't understand Him. Those who knew the Holy Scriptures better than any other people should have been able to see that Jesus came as the promised Messiah of God, but many were blinded by their own personal darkness. They failed to comprehend and therefore rejected Jesus and His message of light. They just didn't get it.

On the other hand, the darkness also did not overpower the light of God's will. The darkness of the world of sin tried really hard to overcome Jesus, His word, and His ministry. Probably as the enemies of Christ viewed the cross, they thought they had won. They thought they had put an end to One they considered a charlatan and blasphemer. They had not! He died, as He planned, as the eternal