April 21 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

This is a song of faith. The faith is focused on God, who was, who is, and who is coming. He was as the Creator (w. 2-3). Therefore the upheaval of nature need not be feared, though the earth give way, waters roar, mountains quake. This planet belongs to God; God made it. This God is in the history of his people (vv. 4-7). Their city may be attacked, but God is with her. The church may feel the pinch, but she will not perish: "God is within her, she will not fall." Faith rests in the God who was and is and who is coming (vv. 8-11). In the last fearful events of world catastrophe, faith hears the footsteps of the coming Lord and welcomes the arrival of the kingdom of peace.

A mighty fortress is our God! God himself (not thoughts about God or gifts from God) is the only solid and everlasting support on which his people rely.

Many scientists warn that the earth is getting warmer and that the eventual result of this warming will lead to dramatic climate change and the flooding of coastal cities. And we can all observe that our earth regularly gets beaten by hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. But faith rests in the God who was. The Creator upholds what he has made.

The city of God, the church, is under attack as much as ever before. As Martin Luther wrote: "Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing." But the right Man is on our side.

As for the future, it seems that historical events are now taking place with accelerated speed. These swift changes (within every area and often within one generation) are unnerving, yet comforting. All human supports must fall away. But God is coming. Soon the last tumult will be over. The final broadcast will be interrupted, and the last bomb will have exploded. Then God will disarm all of us: "Be still and know that I am God."

REFLECTIONS

Sing or say the words of Martin Luther's hymn "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God."

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.