November 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

God is the only one who has the power to curse and to bless. All creatures fear his curse, and on his blessing all depend. A blessing of God, such as this one from Revelation, can also be called a beatitude.

This particular beatitude is addressed to the followers of Christ, as they are gathered in the assembly, a kind of church service. One person is standing and reading "The Revelation to John" (which we know as the last book of the Bible) aloud from a scroll. The others are seated and listening. It is the twilight of the day—and the twilight of history.

The church was, and is, assembled around a book—God's revelation. Blessed are these people, says God. Blessed is the one who reads, because he or she may read. And blessed are the hearers, because they may hear. "Blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it." The words of the Lord remain in the people of God; their doing is directed by their hearing.

Some people have said—and still say—that we would do well to read the whole Bible but leave the last book closed. That's because many people have been confused by the mysterious images and strange messages that are included in the book of Revelation.

But "the time is near." So not only are we urged to read the words of the prophecy but we are promised God's blessing if we do. Blessed is the reader, and blessed are those who hear and take these words to heart. They are blessed because this is the twilight of history, and in this book is the revelation of what must happen soon.

Blessed is the reader of this page who hears and keeps the words of the book of Revelation. God's beatitude is for you.

REFLECTIONS

Since we'll be studying passages from Revelation this month, take a moment to give thanks for this book and to ask for God's blessing as you read it.

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.