January 5 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

There are about 6.8 billion people in the world. And one billion is one thousand times a million people. It's an unimaginable number. All these people have their hopes, their desires, their ambitions.

Among them is a group of people unknown to most and unsung by our poets yet served by the angels. They are all over the globe, and God knows their names.

What distinguishes all these undistinguished people? They have set their hopes on God. They take God's Word with utter seriousness, and they expect his kingly rule to be established in this world. Therefore they are always somewhat out of step with the people of this world, even if they look very much like all the others.

They are poor in spirit, while the others glory in their possessions and think they know it all.

They mourn, while the others seem to be having a ball.

They are meek, while the others are pushy.

Their hearts burn with desire for God. Everybody else is grabbing while the grabbing is good, but they refuse to give up and give in. They remain hungry and thirsty for God's righteousness.

In the midst of rugged individualism, they are merciful.

Although lust and adultery have become celebrated entertainment, they remain pure in heart. When quarrels erupt, they do not become defensive but establish peace. Jesus stretches out his hand over them. "Blessed are you. Yours is the kingdom of heaven."

Take heart, people of God. Resist the pressures of the world. Hope steadfastly in God. Jesus your Lord will give you the kingdom as your inheritance.

Reflections

Is your life marked by the qualities Jesus described? How have you experienced his blessing?

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.