Today's promise: God delights in those
who honor Him
As bright as the sky
Those who are wise
will shine as bright as the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will
shine like stars forever.
Daniel 12:3 NLT
Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset.
Thomas Watson
Deepen your shine
People spend thousands
of dollars to last longer — exercise, cosmetics, plastic surgery, self-help advice,
nutrition plans. We like life, and we want it to last, not just in some
ethereal, nondescript expectation of a life hereafter, but in a real,
fulfilling, purposeful eternity. We don't just want "forever." We
want to know we will enjoy it.
Daniel is told what
makes or breaks eternity in the resurrection: righteousness. Loving it,
drinking it in, leading others to it, investing in it. Righteousness is the
key. The quality of our righteousness on earth has everything to do with the
quality of our eternity.
Those who are wise
also know that there's a problem. We are inherently unrighteous. An eternity
based on earthly righteousness is a devastating predicament for people who are,
in their very genetics, infected with corruption. Are there any who can really
lead others to righteousness? Will any shine like the brightness of the
heavens? Or is the promise empty?
Righteousness is a
gift from a holy heaven to an infected race. It comes from outside ourselves,
available only through faith in its Giver. Those who are wise will tell others
about this gift. Those who want to shine will know the Source of the light and
will be completely preoccupied with Him.
Evangelism is one way
to make an investment that never, ever ceases to bring abundant returns. God
promises that sharing the Light with others will forever deepen your own shine.
Adapted from The One Year® Walk with God Devotional by
Chris Tiegreen, Tyndale House Publishers (2004), entry for April 7.
Content is derived
from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation and other publications of Tyndale
Publishing House
No comments:
Post a Comment