January 22 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

This psalm is quoted in the New Testament more often than any other psalm. The psalm speaks of Jesus Christ. There are two things in the psalm that made it hard for the Jews in Jesus' days. First of all, the Son of David is called the Lord of David. How can a son be more than his father? (This is precisely the riddle Jesus put to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:45.)

Secondly, this Messiah-King of Psalm 110 is at the same time a priest: "You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek."

The riddle is solved when you know Jesus. Jesus was indeed the Son of David, but he was also the Lord of David because he was the Son of God. And Jesus was not only king but also a "priest forever," because he offered himself as a sacrifice. Thus he became king and remained priest.

Now is the day that Jesus is in power. Today King Jesus has an army. The army consists of volunteers who offer themselves willingly. Jesus invites everybody, but he forces nobody. It is true that everyone who enlists in his army has been conquered by his love, and it is beyond doubt that everyone who puts on God's gospel armor has first been captured by the insistence of the Spirit. Nevertheless, a person always assumes a place in Christ's army freely and willingly. Christ wants only cheerful givers and volunteer soldiers.

The soldiers are also priests, which is not surprising when we know that the general is the Priest-King. And the victory of this army—which is a sure thing with such a general—comes "not with swords' loud clashing, or stir of rolling drums." No, "with deeds of love and mercy, the heavenly kingdom comes."

The priestly soldiers in God's army win the victory by prayer and sacrifice.

Reflections

Think back on an act of "love and mercy" that you performed for the Lord. Did you do so "freely and willingly"? Give thanks for the opportunities God gives you to serve.

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.