January 1 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

The theme of the month is spiritual war. Jesus won the battle not by might but by obedience. He is the source of salvation for all who obey him. When we have stood the test, we will share Christ's glory.

Bible Reading:

Luke 2:25–35

Bible Text:

It had been revealed to him ... that he would not die before he had seen the Lord Christ (Luke 2:26).

Devotional:

The letters B.C. and A.D. indicate the main division in human history. B.C. means "before the birth of Christ," but A.D. does not stand for "after (the death of) Christ." A.D. stands for the Latin expression anno Domini, which means "in the year of the Lord." We are not living after Christ but under Christ. Jesus is Lord, and we live in the year of the Lord.

Simeon lived B.C. But the Holy Spirit promised Simeon he would see the Messiah before he died. This promise was fulfilled in the temple. He took the child in his arms and sang his song. "Now dismiss your servant, for my eyes have seen your salvation." Simeon spoke as a watchman whose watch ended as a new day dawned.

Before Christ, believers waited for the light. Today we live by the light that has appeared. But we are also waiting for the Lord's return.

Does waiting for the Lord mean we should sit still? Certainly not. We will be obediently busy when he appears.

At his coming we will see what we believe, and others will see what they never could believe. Death will be no more. Pain will disappear. All tears will be wiped away.

And until Jesus comes, we will be loyal to him, helping those who mourn and relieving some of this world's suffering.

I hope he comes before I die.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

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 edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.