Daily Devotional
Walk in the Light
The Word of life is not received by a lying mouth or a double heart. Jehoshaphat, when a great multitude came against him, did well to proclaim a fast and seek the Lord with all Judah; in trouble the faithful do not first sharpen swords, but humble themselves. Yet the same history warns that alliances with the wicked are not a small matter. “Are you in friendship with a sinner?” Thus Scripture teaches us both where to run in distress and what companionship to refuse in peace.
Nahum declares the same Lord to be both patient and terrible: slow to anger, yet One who “will not acquit the guilty.” Therefore John does not permit us to speak proudly of innocence. “If we say, he says, that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” To walk in the light is not to boast that we never fell, but to confess truly, turn back quickly, and continue in obedience. The righteous man rises again, not by excuses, but by repentance that reaches deeds.
So Proverbs bids us prepare our work beforehand. A house is built by wisdom; so also a Christian life is furnished by practiced righteousness: ordered prayer, guarded speech, honest labor, bread shared with the hungry, and no plotting of revenge when an enemy stumbles. When fear of war, sickness, or loss resounds, let us seek God as Jehoshaphat did; but let us also cleanse the hands, cut off fellowship with evil, and walk plainly in the light we confess.
“And God reproaches Jehoshaphat with his friendship towards Ahab, and his league with him and with Ahaziah, by Jonah the prophet: Are you in friendship with a sinner?”
— Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions
“If we say, he says, that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
— Tertullian, On Modesty
For Reflection & Discussion
What sinful companionship, counsel, or partnership must you end this week so that you are not in friendship with evil men?
At what set times today will you pray and confess your sins plainly before God, without excuse, and what one deed of repentance will you do at once?
Whom will you help in concrete fashion today with food, money, work, or mercy, instead of speaking harm or rejoicing at another’s trouble?
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