August 12 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

Some Christian people are opposed to the use of oaths in courtrooms. Although I agree that Christians ordinarily do not need to swear an oath (their yes is simply yes and their no means no), the oath before the magistrate is still meaningful.

The oath is an admission that all people are unreliable. Their words are not to be trusted. You are a liar and I am a liar, we are saying, but now we are going to swear an oath: "So help me God." Placing ourselves solemnly before the One who cannot lie, we say, "I promise to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God." In this situation, people "swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said" (v. 16).

But now God swears an oath. That seems totally unnecessary. God's every word is true. Why, then, should he have to confirm that which can stand by itself?

God wants to help us in our weakness. He wants us to believe deeply that his promises are "firm and secure." Through "two unchangeable things" (the Word and oath of God) "in which it is impossible for God to lie," we may be "greatly encouraged" (v. 18).

The main business of the church of Christ is the administration of the Word and the sacraments. This business, if faithfully done, will build the church and serve the coming of God's kingdom. The sacraments (baptism and the Lord's Supper) add nothing to the Word. You don't get anything "extra" from the sacraments that you would not have by believing the Word of the gospel.

The Word and the sacraments are like the promises and the oath of God. God surrounds us by his yes and amen, "an anchor for the soul." Therefore we are greatly encouraged to trust him completely.

REFLECTIONS

What assures you that God's promises are absolutely reliable?

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published by Paideia Press in 1977. This updated edition is copyright 2009 by Faith Alive Christian Resources. You can order a copy of this revised version of the book directly from the publisher.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this updated edition of Daylight are from the Holy Bible: Today's New International Version copyright 2001, 2005 by the International Bible Society.