January 24 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

It seems natural to think of time and history in terms of circles, for that's the way life appears to our unenlightened eyes. A person's life runs through the cycle of birth, growth, maturity, and death. A nation seems to run the same gamut: it rises, becomes vigorous, grows prosperous, becomes decadent, and disappears. And the seasons of the year seem to be four spokes in the wheel of nature.

Once we have admitted that everything runs in cycles, we are at a loss to make any sense of life or to attach meaning to history. What is up will come down, and what is down will come up again. We are running in circles, and we ourselves are part of a bigger circle. We are not only turning, we are being turned. Perhaps there is somebody or something at the wheel. Who knows?

The Bible teaches us a different view of life and time. It speaks of the "fullness" of time, when God sent his Son, and of the "last day," when the Son will come again. The word fulness makes us think of water flowing into a barrel. Every drop adds to the total volume. And finally the barrel is full.

Life and time and history are not what they appear to be. We are not enmeshed in a circle. And today, the 24th of January, is not just another spoke in the big wheel that turns and turns. It's not another round on the merry-go-round, and it's not another race through the vicious circle. But it is another drop in God's barrel. The days and weeks are flowing by, and we are getting older. But all these days flow to a goal, with God watching and regulating the stream. Soon we will hear the archangel's voice. The trumpet will blast because the Day has come. "Stop!" "Full!"

Time goes on. We should learn how to use it. Don't be afraid or reckless. The kingdom is coming.

Reflections

Reflect on the fact that your life—and all of time—is moving not in a circle but toward a goal. What difference does this make for the way you live?

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.