November 15 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Devotional

The voice of the elder describes the life of the redeemed. He depicts them as people who have been journeying through the desert. Finally they have arrived in the promised land. What they lacked is now supplied. What they suffered is now forgotten. The feast has begun. Unending service in the presence of God fills all their days and nights.

Although the multitude of the redeemed comes from all nations, tribes, and tongues, their experience and their blessedness is expressed in terms of the Jewish Bible. All nations have been called to the light, but the light shone in Israel. Only by incorporation into Israel are the nations saved. The church is the new Israel, but it is, nevertheless, Israel.

Our future life is still life. The Eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism that have been imported into North America—a bit restyled for our consumption—speak of nirvana. Their highest imaginable state is a blessed nothingness, when the flames are extinguished and life has ebbed into eternal oblivion.

The Christian Bible does not draw a blueprint of the future life. But we are told enough to know that the future is a sort of intensified living. The flame will burn brighter than ever. Instead of an ebbed-out existence, God's people will be riding the crest of the tide.

"They serve him day and night within his temple." The spiritual service that begins in this life is continued there endlessly and without interruption.

To young or immature Christians, this idea may arouse fears of boredom. The truth is that it will actually be a life of perpetual growing and flourishing. Boredom is the curse of the rich and the idle, for there is nothing more boring than living for self-gratification.

But the future is endless communion with an infinite number of peo­ple and angels in the ever-refreshing presence of our God.

REFLECTIONS

What aspects of our bright and active future make you want to praise 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.