January 23 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:

James 1: 19–27

Bible Text:

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak (Jas 1:19).

Devotional:

Most people don't hear God because they themselves talk too much. The mouth is often overworked, with food going in and words coming out. The mouth keeps many people busy all their waking hours.

The Creator gave us two ears and one mouth because listening is far more important than speaking. None of us should talk unless we have first listened.

God speaks to the world's population daily through the environment (Ps. 19:1-4). But who is listening?

God spoke in many special ways to the Israelites too. But the people's ears were plugged. Psalm 81:8 records God's frustration with Israel: '''Hear, O my people ... if you would but listen to me, O Israel!' "

Finally God's Word became flesh. God spoke to the people through Jesus. And he continues to do so.

Faith begins with listening. Folly starts with too much talk. "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise" (Prov. 10:19).

An untamed tongue and unskilled ears stunt Christian growth. Therefore let's be quick to listen and slow to speak. After all, God gave us two ears but only one mouth.

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.