The Night Is Far Gone

Daily Reading: Romans 12-13

Scripture Focus: The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Romans 13.12)

Devotional Thought: As I type these words, I am sitting in my daughter’s kitchen watching as the day dawns outside the window.  My granddaughters will soon be up and the morning quietness will be gone!  If I want to have any time to pray and prepare for the day, I better do it now.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand!

The spiritual night is far gone, too:

• The night of sin.  Though we live in the light of the gospel, we are surrounded by the darkness of sin.  The whole creation is groaning under the weight of that sin, but a new day will soon dawn, and that morning will last forever.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.

• The night of sadness.  As we pass through life there are things that disappoint or discourage us, or even depress us.  The Bible says that weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning!  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.

• The night of sickness.  Are you sick?  Is someone you love sick?  Look for the arrival of Jesus!  He comes with healing in his wings.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.

• The night of slumber.  It seems as if the darkness of the world is becoming more and more widespread.  Do not fret!  The Word of God is powerful and we are the bearers of that Word!  Pray for a great move of the Holy Spirit in your life and through your life.  The night is far gone; the day is at hand.

We are not children of the night but of the day.   Live in the full light of God’s ever-dawning day!

Prayer: O Jesus, I long for that day when you will return and make everything new, everything right.  Help me to live this day under the promise of that day - for the night is indeed far gone!  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 29.1-6

1 Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2 Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

3 The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.

4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.