December 4
Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4
The future should impact today. Our hope in Christ’s return and the new creation should transform the way we live right now. We are freed up to love because of all that Christ has done for us.
Daniel’s description of the future may sound frightening. He speaks of “a time of distress as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” There will be great calamity, turmoil, wickedness, and idolatry, but also the opportunity to “shine like the brightness of the heavens.” The darker the world gets the greater our ability to reflect the holiness, righteousness, and glory of God to a watching world. To live this way we have to look beyond the present situation and see what is to come. The hope we have in eternity should free us up to live differently than the fear, anxiety, and grumbling that so easily wells up in our hearts.
John describes this alternative way of living as the path of love. Notice in 1 John 4 how often the word love is used. It is used more times than there are verses! Rather than conforming to the ways of anger and hatred around us, God calls us to love. He gives us the ability to love, models what love is through Christ’s sacrifice, and loves us beyond what we can comprehend. Our response of love to God’s love becomes part of the evidence that we are in him. So, we choose to live not in fear but rather out of “perfect love that drives out fear.” Being the people of love God has made us to be.
Father God, help me to love others like you love me. Give me the ability to love all people, especially those I find difficult to love. Amen.
Question: How can you break through the barriers that keep you from loving people?
The future should impact today. Our hope in Christ’s return and the new creation should transform the way we live right now. We are freed up to love because of all that Christ has done for us.
Daniel’s description of the future may sound frightening. He speaks of “a time of distress as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then.” There will be great calamity, turmoil, wickedness, and idolatry, but also the opportunity to “shine like the brightness of the heavens.” The darker the world gets the greater our ability to reflect the holiness, righteousness, and glory of God to a watching world. To live this way we have to look beyond the present situation and see what is to come. The hope we have in eternity should free us up to live differently than the fear, anxiety, and grumbling that so easily wells up in our hearts.
John describes this alternative way of living as the path of love. Notice in 1 John 4 how often the word love is used. It is used more times than there are verses! Rather than conforming to the ways of anger and hatred around us, God calls us to love. He gives us the ability to love, models what love is through Christ’s sacrifice, and loves us beyond what we can comprehend. Our response of love to God’s love becomes part of the evidence that we are in him. So, we choose to live not in fear but rather out of “perfect love that drives out fear.” Being the people of love God has made us to be.
Father God, help me to love others like you love me. Give me the ability to love all people, especially those I find difficult to love. Amen.
Question: How can you break through the barriers that keep you from loving people?
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