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December 12 Daily Devotional

Twilight: Seek the Lord Who Is Seeking You

the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

The Prince of Peace, the Son of David, was announced by Isaiah. The story of his coming was proclaimed by the evangelists, each with a different emphasis. Jesus made God's kingship real in this world. Today, the kingdom is here—and it is coming.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 65:1–5

Bible Text:

"I was found by those who did not seek.... All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people" (Isa. 65:1–2).

Devotional:

The prophet said a long and moving prayer on behalf of the people of Israel (chapter 64). The next chapter (65) gives part of God's answer.

According to the prayer, Israel was seeking God but could not find him. Now God responds: "You weren't really seeking. Even people who don't belong to me can find me. But to you I said all the time: Here am I, here am I.... You said you were seeking me? All day long I was trying to invite you into my arms. But you were as obstinate as a willful child."

This word of God indicates that salvation in Christ is not, as the people believed, for all who belong to Israel; rather, God's grace is for all who seek the Lord with all their heart. The words of this verse—"I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me"—are quoted by Paul. This prophecy shows, he says, that God knew that the good news, rejected by the Jews, would go to the Gentiles (Rom. 10:20–21).

Today the word has been fulfilled: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Rom. 10: 13). Everyone who bows at the manger, kneels at the cross, and hopes in the resurrection is part of God's chosen people.

And nobody may say, "Since I bear the name of the Lord I have more rights than others." No pride of privilege saves us; only God's grace.

Therefore let everyone seek the Lord while he is calling us.


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.

 

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