January 2 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:

Matthew 2:1–12

Bible Text:

"We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him" (Matt. 2:2).

Devotional:

The Magi were astrologers. Astrology is based on the belief that the position of the heavenly bodies determines the course of earthly events.

Israel was opposed to astrology (Isa. 47:13). God's people received and preserved the Word of the Lord. They knew that it is God's Word—not the stars—that makes us who we are and determines what's going to happen.

Astrology is popular in the Western world today. People who are no longer guided by God's Word have foolishly returned to the stars.

Yet God can use the stars to send a message. He did so when Jesus was born. The Magi did not have God's written Word, but they received God's message through the stars. Then they traveled to Jerusalem, where the chief priests and teachers of the law opened the Scriptures. Thus the Magi were led from the Word of God in nature to the Word of God in Scripture. Finally they bowed down before the Word of God in the flesh—Jesus.

Millions more must make that journey.

The Magi fulfilled the prophecy of Psalm 72:8-11, which says that people would come from distant lands to bring gifts and bow down in worship before the Son of David, the Prince of Peace. These wise men from Iran or Iraq were the forerunners of all Gentiles. All of us, from many distant lands, join them to honor Jesus.

Let's also follow their example of giving. Christ must be honored not only by words but by deeds that show adoration.

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.