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December 1 Daily Devotional

Twilight: No Shalom for the Wicked

the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

Monthly Theme:

The Prince of Peace, the Son of David, was announced by Isaiah. The story of his coming was proclaimed by the evangelists, each with a different emphasis. Jesus made God's kingship real in this world. Today, the kingdom is here—and it is coming.

Bible Reading:

Isaiah 57: 14–21

Bible Text:

"Peace, peace to those far and near...." "[But] there is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked" (Isa. 57:19, 21).

Devotional:

When people have had a busy day and the phone rings as soon as they sit down, they sometimes will say, "No rest for the wicked." Usually they say it jokingly, quite unaware that they are quoting a biblical saying found in Isaiah 48:22 and 57:21: "There is no peace for the wicked."

The text expresses the biblical principle that God's blessing of peace, or shalom, is not for those who continue in sin. Peace is based on righteousness.

If you have ever said, "No rest for the wicked," meaning yourself, don't say it again. Rest, peace, or shalom is the greatest good God gives to his children. When the kingdom of the Messiah has fully come, the whole creation will be what it was intended to be: a society characterized by reliable order and harmony, well-being and prosperity—in one word: shalom.

But there will be no peace for the wicked.

This month we talk much about "peace on earth;' because Christ is the One who brings peace. Through him we first have peace with God—a peace that begins with a restored spiritual relationship. From there we pray and work for the whole new order of shalom.

But there can be no peace for those who are wicked. Evil is cast out of the kingdom of peace.


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.

 

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