Rise and Shine! – Family Devotion – November 17, 2021

Read: Daniel 12:1-3

At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 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 12:1-3

Rise and Shine!

 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The bedroom door creaked open. Footsteps pitter-pattered across the floor. Then came a soft and gentle voice, “Rise and shine!” It didn’t matter how nicely Noelle’s mom spoke those words every morning—Noelle didn’t like it one bit. “Ugh! No! Not yet!” she complained. “Rise and shine!” her mother said again. This time Noelle pulled the sheets up over her head and groaned, “Nooo! I don’t want to wake up!”

Noelle was not being very helpful or responsible. She needed to get up and get ready for school. Thankfully, her mother was very kind and loving. She stayed there and kept encouraging her to “rise and shine” until she finally did.

How about in your house? Are there some people who struggle to “rise and shine” and get out of bed? Would you rather be asleep or awake?

Even though many people love to sleep in, there is a day coming soon when all people will have to rise. That day is called judgment day. Daniel 12:2 says, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” This verse is telling us that when Jesus comes back in glory, all those who have died will have their bodies rise from the grave. Some will awake to everlasting life in heaven, some will go to everlasting death in hell.

There are many days when our sins make us much like Noelle. When we sin, we act like we don’t want to rise and shine in the light of God’s love. Sin leads us to be spiritually sleepy as Satan tries to lead us to fall asleep forever in unbelief. Satan wants us to spend eternity away from God and in hell.

Thanks be to God that Jesus has taken away all those sins! And thanks be to God that our mighty Savior Jesus also gives us the strength to remain strong in our faith. Jesus will help us to be awake, on the watch, and ready for his return on the Last Day. What a day that will be! Not only will Jesus raise us from the dead, but we will shine in the brightness of his love and glory. Daniel 12:3 says this about believers, “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.”

Stay connected to Jesus in his Word, in worship, and in prayer. That will help you to be ready for the wonderful day when Jesus comes back and says to you, “Rise and shine forever!”

Closing Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for saving me from sin and then sending your Spirit to give me faith in you. Help me remain strong in the faith until the day you return and raise me to life with you forever. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What will Jesus do on the Last Day when he returns?
• What are the two places that all people will go to forever on the Last Day?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why does Satan work so hard to tempt us and lead us into sin?
• How can we know for sure that Jesus has more power than Satan?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree/Disagree: Judgment day is a day to be afraid of. Explain your answer.
• What are you looking forward to the most on judgment day?