May 10 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

These readings focus on the Holy Spirit. In the Old Covenant (or Testament), the Spirit "anoints" one person here and one there to perform a special work for God. In the New Covenant, the Spirit is "poured out" like rain on the whole church of Christ.

Bible Reading:

Jeremiah 31:31–34

Bible Text:

''I will put my law in their minds.... They will all know me.... I will remember their sins no more (Jer. 31:33–34).

Devotional:

This passage lists three features of the New Covenant that would make it really new.

First, God's will shall be inscribed in the hearts and minds of people rather than on stones and scrolls.

Second, all God's people will know God. They will no longer be dependent on mediators.

Third, there will be a complete, once-for-all act of forgiveness that will serve as the foundation for the new relationship.

Today this New Covenant is a reality. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was the complete, once-for-all covering of all our sins. It is therefore no longer necessary—or permissible—to make atonement for sins, as in the Old Covenant. At the cross of Jesus the promise was fulfilled: "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." This forgiveness is the basis for our present relationship with God.

Now Christ has given us his Spirit. As a result, we are free to obey. We find it desirable and delightful to do the will of God. With all our heart we want to love him above all and our neighbors as ourselves. The law and the prophets require no more, no less.

We still have teachers and leaders in the church. But none of us depends on priests or teachers as our way to God. All of us know him as our Father. Each of us may approach him in the name of Jesus.

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.