The Good Samaritan – Stepping in the Light

“Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.” Luke 10:36-37

Jesus gave this parable in answer to a question from a man who was trying to justify his thinking that he was a righteous person. The portrayal of the characters in this parable perfectly convey the truths that Jesus intended to impart to this man, and they are still applicable today. A traveler was attacked by thieves and left for dead. Upstanding and religious people saw him in his needy condition, but they ignored and avoided him. Another traveler comes by who is from a much maligned and hated group of people, the Samaritans. If an Israelite saw a Samaritan, they would automatically assume the worst; but the Samaritan went out of his way to help. He administered first aid, brought the unfortunate man to safety, and provided for his complete recovery. What does this mean to us? First, bad things happen. It wasn’t this man’s fault that he was attacked by thieves. Second, status or position is not enough to make us good. The priest nor the Levite offered any help to the wounded man. Their privileged positions were of no benefit to him. Third, our concern for others is only seen in our actions. If we really care about the people around us, we will do something to help them in their need. This is what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves. Is there someone who needs your help today? Why not follow the example of the Good Samaritan?

Morning: I Samuel 15-16

Evening: Luke 10:25-42

About This Site

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

If you were to find yourself walking down a path in the dark of night with only an old-fashioned lantern to light the way, you wouldn’t be able to see very far ahead. You would be able to see just enough of the pathway to know which direction to take your next step and enough of the ground to choose the best place for your feet. When it comes to our daily lives, God’s Word is a lot like that lantern. It will not show us the whole path at once, but it is exactly what we need to help us decide how to take the next step.

The Bible is our source of spiritual light, and if we consistently seek God’s direction as we read from its pages, we will always have enough light for our next step along the pathway of life. It is then that we are, in the words of an old gospel song, “stepping in the light.”

The goal of this devotional guide is to encourage you to spend time in the Word of God each day. Reading the passages listed at the bottom of the page will take you all the way through the Bible in one year. The devotional thought for each day is taken from a text within that day’s reading, so even that small daily portion of reading will take you on a journey through God’s Word. It is my prayer that this guide would help you to walk closer to the Lord and that you will find yourself taking each step in the light of His Word.