May 31 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

This month we have been reading and thinking about the heavenly ministry of Jesus. Finally we want to observe that this heavenly ministry has a goal. When that goal has been reached, Jesus' ministry will cease.

The goal of Christ's work is the kingdom of God. For that purpose he came to earth, and for that goal he works from heaven. When that kingship of God is fully established, God the Father will receive all honor. He will be "all in all" or everything to everyone. Then Christ himself will cease his royal work like a general who retires after the campaign is over.

When Jesus Christ transfers the kingdom to the Father, he will have destroyed every dominion and every authority and every power; that is to say, he will have destroyed all the forces that are still resisting the sovereignty of God. One of those evil powers is mentioned by name—death. Christ will take care of this enemy as the last item on his agenda.

The Bible does not explain how the different powers in this world ever got into evil hands. But we know that they are in the wrong hands, and we also know how we will get rid of evil. Jesus has done it by his earthly ministry, and he is doing it by his heavenly ministry. Christ is reestablishing God's power throughout the cosmos. The end will be upon us when he says to his Father: "Now all things are yours. The whole cosmos is subject to you."

Then there will be rest—eternal rest. A Sabbath without end. An enjoyment of the goodness of God without boundaries or limitations. No sin, no pain, no battle. At last we will be free, and finally we will have rest.

Christ is in command until the battle is over. Let's be loyal to him. It can't last long anymore.

REFLECTIONS

Reflect on what "an enjoyment of the goodness of God without boundaries or limitations" might be like. Then read 1 Corinthians 2:9 and 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.