April 7 – Deepen Your Shine (Daniel 12:1-4)

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.”(Daniel 12:3)

IN WORD:
People spend thousands of dollars to last longer. Exercise, cosmetics, plastic surgery, self-help advice, nutrition plans — in other words, the entire self-preservation industry — is huge business. We like life, and we want it to last, not just in some ethereal, non-descript 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. And those who are wise know it.
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?
We who know Jesus know the answer, of course. Righteousness is a gift from a holy heaven to an infected race. It comes from outside of 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 light and will be completely preoccupied with Him.

IN DEED:
You probably know of the Bible’s imperatives about evangelism: We are commanded to spread the gospel of salvation throughout the world. Have you known also of this promise in Daniel? 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.

“Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset.”
-Thomas Watson-