“It doesn’t happen all at once,” said the Skin Horse. “You become. It takes a long time…Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby.” – The Velveteen Rabbit
When I think about my favorite books, they are well-worn traveling companions, stained and slowly coming apart. Bindings broken, pages missing, and covers falling off display a lengthy love affair – they’ve become Real. Other than the Bible, there is no book that has encouraged me more than Daily Light. Years ago, my mother gave me a copy and it has met me through joys and sorrows, hope and pain, always faithfully leading me into the Word of God.
Daily Light is divided into Morning and Evening readings of Scripture arranged according to various themes (See an ESV online version here). The Bagster family compiled these passages for family devotions sometime in the late 18th century. Since its publication, generations of believers have benefited from experiencing God’s Word in such an accessible and devotional format.
For me, Daily Light has been a picture of the Lord’s faithfulness to comfort and care for me through His Word. Many times, I’ve marked the specific date when the passages for that day particular met the circumstances that I faced. The day I found out I was miscarrying, all the verses spoke of the shortness of one’s life. Contemplating that all lives fade as quickly as a flower in the field comforted me in the midst of mourning a baby that I would never know on this side of eternity.
When my father suffered a heart attack and stroke, the verses for that day all dealt with Jesus knowing our griefs and entering into our sorrows. Through the Word, the tender care of my Father met me in the midst of my fears and heartache.
The Lord has also met me as I’ve struggled through my own inadequacies. In the midst of the excitement of writing another book, I also felt the weight of fear: Can I do this again? Knowing that He would be my refuge and strength, spurred me on to trust in the Lord.
So many times the Scriptures chosen over two hundred years ago for that day speak directly to the circumstance I am facing. They are faithful reminders of the Lord’s goodness and the power of the Word to be living and active in our lives (Hebrews 4:12).
If you’re looking for a devotional to accompany your daily Bible study, I encourage you to pick up a copy of Daily Light. There are many online versions, but I admit that I love my copy by Anne Graham Lotz. It has been an active experience for me of the truth of Psalm 119:50, “My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
Thank you so much for sharing, Melissa! I’m excited about the online version, but there’s nothing quite like having the book right there in front of you. I can’t wait to pick up a copy of this for my own personal quiet time.
I’m so glad! And, I agree, I love having the book in my hand. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
Books are like best friends for me. All those dog-eared pages and underlined passages take me back to important times in my life. I have favorite devotionals that are falling apart as well. But I don’t think I’ll ever exchange them for new! Thanks for sharing about one of yours.
I know – I need to replace my copy of DL (the cover is unattached at this point), but I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do so. I’d love to hear about your favorites sometime!
You have encouraged me to pull out my copy again!
And, it was my favorite thing to read when I had little babies. It was all I could manage when I was sleep-deprived!
Thank you for reminding me of the DL. I haven’t read it in a few years. So while I was looking for my copy my daughter gave me some years back, I found a copy that belong to my deceased father-in-law. He was an ordained minister in the Lutheran church. It was a gift given to him and is signed. The copyright date is 1950. And I just realized his birthday is tomorrow, January 21. “and His name shall be called Wonderful.” Thank you!
Oh, that’s wonderful to have such a special copy. Thanks for sharing the story of finding it today. It is such a joy to see the providence of the Lord in all things!