January 31 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The great renovation is under way. To us it seems to take forever. But we must not forget that the reasons why it takes so long lie in God's wisdom and grace.

The beginnings of God's renewal of the world are despised by most, but they are greeted as the first signs of spring by all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. Just as God created by his Word, so God makes a new world by the gospel of his Son. The sower has gone forth to sow.

To us it seems impossible that the world could be entirely changed, for we are unable to change people. We cannot even change ourselves. But what is impossible with us is possible with God. In the beginning he gave us one father, Adam, whose blood flows in all of us. Now he has given us a second Adam, the Lord Jesus, whose Spirit flows in all who believe in him. Already we have received a new heart, a new hope, and a new power. We trust God to finish his work and make everything new.

We must never be discouraged. Nothing is so bad that God cannot make it good. Nothing is so old that God cannot make it new.

God did reveal to us that he has to use fire. The kingdom comes with judgment and salvation. Already the judgment came into the world. Good Friday was judgment day. On Golgotha the wrath of God was poured out on our sins. Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For them the old things have passed away. Those who are in Christ Jesus have had their sins punished. God will not punish us twice.

We have now been brought into the kingdom of God's beloved Son. Under his rule we live a new life. Soon it will be revealed that God has given us a new name and a new country—the land of hope and glory.

Reflections

Imagine, if you will, what our world will look like when God restores creation and makes everything new. Then give thanks.

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.