November 6 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

John could not look God in the eye. He caught an impression of dazzling light that encircled the throne—a rainbow of colors.

Of course—the rainbow! Remember Noah? In one picture, the throne of God tells the whole story of the Ruler of the world. This Ruler executes judgment on sin as in the flood. Yet his wrath is held back by his own promise of mercy—the rainbow.

Around the throne are twenty-four thrones—two times twelve thrones. Twelve for the people of the old covenant, and twelve for the people of the new covenant. The church of all ages rules with her Lord in heaven.

The four living creatures represent creation, that is to say, the creation as God made it, unspoiled and unpolluted.

And creation sings.

We don't always hear that. To us, nature may seem mostly mute and indifferent. Human suffering does not seem to touch creation. Birds sing where people cry. Flowers grow where soldiers are buried. And nature can be cruel. Hailstorms can destroy crops; tidal waves smash lives and lands to bits.

But there is more to creation. It sings! It is the song of all creation to the Creator of us all.

Listen! It is not silent. It sings. Why don't you join in?

Open our eyes, God, and open the door so that we may see the throne and recognize you, the Creator and Redeemer of the world. Unplug our ears and open our hearts. Patiently teach us to join in the song of all creation to the God of all the creatures.

Wherever the throne is seen, the song is heard.

REFLECTIONS

Sing your own song of praise to the Creator, or use the words of the prayer near the end of this reading as your own prayer.

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.