Today Daily Devotional

Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
— 1 Corinthians 11:26

“Do this . . . in remembrance of me.” The church of Jesus has been living into these words for nearly 2,000 years. Thinking about our devotional theme for this month, we might say that the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion, is one of the most resonant experiences in the Christian life. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, everything that Jesus accomplished on the cross is available to us. And we receive this gift by faith, putting our trust in him.The Bible describes this good news in a multitude of ways. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection our sins are forgiven. Our spiritual debt is paid in full. We become citizens of the kingdom of God. We are rescued from death and receive new life now and forever!Verse 26 of our passage for today makes a remarkable statement. Whenever we come to the Lord’s table in faith to receive the bread and cup that represent his broken body and shed blood, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” Our lives become an announcement of our spiritual victory. Death has been defeated! The grave has been conquered! We are set free!There is something both mysterious and holy about the Lord’s Supper. Jesus is present with his people as they gather around his table. May our hearts be open to receive him.

Jesus, thank you for the gift of communion, reminding us of your sacrifice on the cross. Fill us with your grace, and help us follow you faithfully till you come again. Amen.

The leaves of the tree [of life] are for the healing of the nations.
— Revelation 22:2

Several colleagues and I were on a call with church leaders from a West African nation where Christians have been facing increased hostility and violence. We wanted to connect and hear how they were doing, and we wanted to ask how we might pray for and support them.Yet the conversation proved difficult. Technical problems disrupted the connection again and again, and it took considerable time and effort just to share a few meaningful moments together.For many Christians around the world, this kind of disruption is a daily reality. We all long for experiences of spiritual and emotional resonance— times when we can connect deeply with God and with one another. But in places marked by political and religious persecution, natural disasters, or war, such a connection can be fragile and hard won.St. Augustine wrote that “our hearts are restless until they find rest in God.” Until Jesus returns, there will always be some measure of restlessness and dissonance in our lives and in the world around us.For this reason we continue to pray with longing for the day when Christ will make all things right and bring healing to the nations. Until that day arrives, it is vital that we stand with our suffering brothers and sisters, remembering them in prayer and supporting them in whatever ways we can.

Dear Jesus, we read of the river of life and the healing of the nations, and our hearts ache for the day when you will return. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night. . . .”
— Joshua 1:8

This year the Today devotional guide is celebrating its 75th anniversary.As we think about the Word of God resonating around the world, these devotions are one of the ways in which the Spirit is at work, encouraging and challenging many thousands of Christians and people who are curious about the Christian faith. Every day is a new opportunity to read a portion of Scripture and apply it to our daily lives.I was in a small town in the midwestern United States recently, and as I walked out of the hotel where I was staying, I saw the Today devotions on display in the lobby for people to pick up. Shortly afterward, I ran into some people in an airport. They recognized me as a pastor, and then one of them exclaimed, “Hey, we read your devotion this morning in Today— thanks for that!” This little devotional guide is shared in churches, homes, hotels, prisons, restaurants, and online. What a ministry!In our Bible reading today in the book of Joshua, God’s people are about to enter the land God has promised them. They are encouraged to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with them. But that strength and courage would stay with them only if they kept the Word of God on their lips and in their hearts. May that be true for us today and every day.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for providing the Today devotions for so many people for the past 75 years. May your Word ring out and keep strengthening all who seek you. Amen.

I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
— Psalm 51:3

It can happen so easily. A quick or thoughtless word can hurt someone else. And if we are confronted with our guilt, we instinctively move into denial or defense. We try to shift blame to another person or circumstance as we try to justify ourselves. Or we sink into shame, allowing self-damaging thoughts to take hold. The cycle becomes destructive for everyone involved.Psalm 51 is a response to the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. King David, who wrote this psalm, had been confronted by the prophet Nathan, who had shown him his guilt and deceit in taking Bathsheba and arranging the death of her husband (2 Samuel 11).In this remarkable psalm we see what true conviction by the Spirit can bring. David did not deny what he had done or try to justify his actions. He refused to blame others, yet he also did not drown in despair. Instead he recognized his sin, confessed it before God, and asked for mercy. He also asked for a new beginning: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”We often experience resonance with God through the beauty of his creation and the truth of his Word. But another powerful meeting place with God is in our honest admission of sin. May God lead us to genuine repentance so that we can be forgiven in Jesus, who is always ready to restore to us the joy of salvation.

Dear Jesus, as hard as it may be, help us to see the places in our lives where we need forgiveness and restoration. Cleanse us and wash us clean, we pray. Amen.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
— Romans 12:15

The life-giving power of Jesus rings out in many ways. My colleague Joyce, a former missionary to Nigeria, tells of her moving experience with the Nigerian practice of “greeting.” She learned that whenever something significant happened— whether joyful or painful—people would gather simply to be present with you in that moment. Presence itself was the gift.She recalls how, when her daughter was born, neighbors came one after another to “greet” the child. There was singing and dancing, and the joy was immense. This little girl was embraced and welcomed into the life of the whole community.Joyce also recalls another, very different day—on September 12, 2001. Early in the morning she and her husband were awakened by neighbors at their door. These friends had just learned of the destruction of the World Trade Center in New York City the day before. Though none of them had ever been to the United States, they knew this would be devastating news for their American friends. They came to “greet” them—to hold them in love as they tried to absorb their shock and grief.As our theme verse for today reminds us, both joy and sorrow are contagious. Whom might you “greet” today—to celebrate their gladness or to sit gently with them in their pain—as a reflection of God’s resounding love?

Jesus, thank you for ministering to us in our joy and sorrow. Help us to respond with care for our friends and neighbors in their times of happiness and sadness. Amen.