June 30 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

Peter's first epistle is addressed to "strangers in the world," who have their homeland in heaven. They are not surprised that they suffer when they do what is right. They follow the footprints of Jesus.

Bible Reading:

1 Peter 5:12–14

Bible Text:

Peace to all of you who are in Christ (1 Peter 5:14).

Devotional:

After the secretary, Silvanus, put down his pen, Peter writes his own greeting: "Peace to all of you who are in Christ." This greeting is for the whole congregation, because the church's secret is that she is "in Christ."

In Christ we have everything. We live out of a new, unseen reality. We belong to a new world that began with Christ's resurrection. And in him we are entitled to an inheritance that is imperishable.

"Peace to all of you." Shalom! It's more a proclamation than a wish, more a blessing than a greeting. Peace is the New Testament word for the salvation God has granted us in Christ. It conveys the idea of healing and liberation for people caught in the trap of guilt and death. To be set free and to have God smile upon you ... that is peace.

"Peace be with you." That's the best thing we can write to each other. Peace will be with you, me, and all who are in Christ. Don't let this slip your mind. Keep it always before your consciousness. God's peace is now a reality for you and your loved ones and all who are in Christ. Shalom is here because Christ is in us and we are in him.

God's peace is our source of hope and strength. If we have this peace today, we also have a taste of the future goodness.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

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 edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.