Day 335 · December 1

A devotional for today

Today’s readings

• Old Testament: DANIEL 8:1-27
• New Testament: 1 JOHN 2:1-17
• Psalm: PSALM 120:1-7
• Proverb: PROVERBS 28:25-26

Discover

Daniel watches a ram and a goat clash in vision — kingdoms rising, trampling, and falling exactly on God's schedule. "The vision concerns the time of the end." Earthly powers rage and boast, but God has already written the last chapter, and He is never surprised. Above the chaos of history stands one steady figure: "If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous. And he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the whole world" (1 John 2:1–2). Our Advocate. Our atonement. And John's warning cuts through every age: "Don't love the world or the things that are in the world... The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God's will remains forever" (1 John 2:15, 17). Kingdoms fall; Christ remains. When distress closes in, the psalmist's cry still works: "In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me" (Psalm 120:1). It ALL points to Jesus.

Reflect

What part of "the world" — its approval, its comforts, its noise — am I loving too much? Where do I need my Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous, today?

Fellowship

Talk with someone about this: How does knowing Jesus is our Advocate with the Father change the way we face our own failures?

Prayer

Father, thank You for Jesus, my Advocate and my atoning sacrifice. Keep me from loving what is passing away, and fix my heart on what remains forever. Lord Jesus, help me not only to know Your Word but to live it. Transform my heart so that my life reflects You more each day. Amen.

Live

Loosen your grip on one worldly thing today — and tighten your grip on Jesus.