August 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The New Testament divides history into two parts—the days before Christ and the time after the coming of Christ.

In both time periods God addressed his people—his Word was heard through human mouths. The difference is in the instrument God used. In the old days God spoke "through the prophets." The word prophets is used in the widest sense, so that Moses as well as David and Isaiah are included. But in these last days God has spoken to us "by his Son."

You and I are living in the last days—and God has spoken to us by his Son. The letter to the Hebrews explains that what God has said to us in Christ is indeed God's last word. Every chapter emphasizes this central fact.

In what sense is God's message in Christ the last word?

First, it is the last word because it is God's deepest Word. It is not just the truth; it is all of the truth. Now God has told us "all his heart." Nothing remains hidden. God has said it all.

Some people are afraid that there are dark and hidden facts about God, "things you never know," things that might fill us with fear or suspicion. But that is simply not true. God has told us everything we need to know about him by means of Christ, his only Son.

Second, what God has said in Christ is the last word because it is God's final word, the last will and testament. We should not expect any further revelation.

Somehow we always want to look for a new revelation that is more exciting than the one we have already. Many religious cults and sects thrive on this expectation.

But don't be confused by the deceivers who claim to have a more recent revelation. If we know what God has done and said in Christ, we have God's last word for the last days.

REFLECTIONS

What are some implications of Christ being God's last word? Try completing this statement: "Because Christ is God's last word, I..."

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.