Limited Light

Daily Reading: John 9

Scripture Focus: We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. (John 9.4-5)

Devotional Thought: My friend, Matt, recently asked a favor of me.  "Just as it starts to get light, go out on your deck and listen for the wild turkeys in our neighborhood."  He is a hunter and wants to know where the turkeys are roosting. He was very specific to tell me that I needed to go out there at just the right time.  If I went at sunrise, I would be too late.  He particularly wanted me to know, “It gets light about half an hour before the sun rises, so make sure you get out there early enough."  There was just a limited window of opportunity to accomplish what he wanted me to do.

In the same way, there is a limited window of opportunity for us to accomplish what God wants us to do.  Every person alive will face the time when the sun sets on them in death.  Or, one day the sun will set on history.  We must do the work of God before the sun sets for that eternal night. 

What is the work of God? 

• First and primarily, it is to believe in the one he has sent (John 6.29).

• The work of God is also made plain to us in the Great Commission, making Christlike disciples in the nations. You and I are to be personally involved with the formation of Christ in others.

• We also do the work of God when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick and encourage the prisoner.

A long as Jesus is in the world, he is the light of the world.  Is he even now in you, shining through you?

Prayer: Lord, I want to be a "city on a hill" and a "lamp on the lampstand."  I want my light to shine so that people will see you and glorify God in heaven.  Help me to work at this with all my might.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 35.9-17

9 Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in his salvation.

10 All my bones shall say, "O LORD, who is like you, delivering the poor from him who is too strong for him, the poor and needy from him who robs him?"

11 Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know.

12 They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft.

13 But I, when they were sick-- I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

14 I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother; as one who laments his mother, I bowed down in mourning.

15 But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing;

16 like profane mockers at a feast, they gnash at me with their teeth.

17 How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!