button header
"We exist to train God-hungry people in the disciplines of prayer."

40-Day Devotional Guide & Study of
The Wonderful Names of Jesus
by Richard W. LaFountain

Download full version in PDF
Listen to Sermons on The Name


Day Star
Greek: phosphoros (foce-for'-os)

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that you take heed, as unto a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" - 2 Peter 1:19

The word "day star" in Greek, the original language of the New Testament, meant the planet Venus, which is the brightest and first star of the morning announcing a new day. It brought hope for those who were working long night shifts as sailors or shepherds. I used to work as a night watchman on the midnight shift during my college days. I remember how long the nights would be. But then toward dawn a star would outshine them all, and even as the sun began to rise, this star remained in the sky until the sun was fully up. That's Jesus! He is the day star of the Father. He is our hope and assurance of a new day. He is the first light of our eternal day. We keep our eyes fixed on him who brings us hope for a bright tomorrow. That's one reason the star the wise men saw in the east was significant. It heralded a new day and a new beginning.

Mulligans
In golf Mulligans may be used to "do over" any shot, i.e., drives, fairway shots and/or putts that didn't work very well or were "muffed" get a chance to redeem themselves by doing them over. The term "Mulligan" in golf is a second shot allowed by an opponent and not counted on the score, when the first shot was hideously muffed (or missed altogether). Usually it happens on the drive, although not always. Needless to say, ignoring the first stroke happens only in "friendly" golf, not in professional or "serious" golf. Tiger Woods is not given Mulligans when he plays tournaments.

"Do-Overs"
The do-over was one of childhood's most powerful rites, for it exerted our dominion over the laws of space and time. The clock was rolled back; the game was restored to its exact status as before, before the contested event and play was resumed. If the original play was particularly important and the second attempt was dramatically different (e.g. the player striking out instead of hitting a multi-base shot as in the original play), the do-over might be invoked again. This do-over would give the team another chance, thereby insuring that the second time around might be better than the first.

Jesus is the Do-Over-King. He makes everything new.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." - 2 Corinthians 5:17

"And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." - Revelation 21:5


Need a new start? Try Jesus.

"His mercies are new every morning! And great is his faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:23

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (a bright tomorrow)." Jeremiah 29:11

Use in Scripture
Day star "phosphoros" is only used once in 2 Peter 1:19, but the reference to a star and Jesus are used multiple times.

  • Numbers 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
  • Matthew 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
  • Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
  • Matthew 2:9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
  • Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory.
  • 2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
  • Revelation 2:28 And I will give him the morning star.
Questions to Discuss
  1. They say, "It's always darkest before the dawn." Are any of you experience a dark night of your soul, a time when everything seems gloomy and hopeless? Share your troubles. Bring it to the light of day. Then consider adopting Jesus as your "Day Star" your hope for a better tomorrow.
  2. Share with your friends in your small group how Christ has changed your life. How has he brought a "new day" to your old life?
  3. Do you know someone who is going through a dark time in their life? Consider sharing with them this wonderful truth that Jesus is our "do-over King" our "mulligan" and our "day star" for a bright new day.
Song:
New Life in Christ, by John W. Peterson, 1963

New Life in Christ abundant and free!
What glories shine, what joys are mine,
What wondrous blessings I see!
My past with its sin, the searching and strife,
Forever gone -- There's a bright new dawn!
For in Christ I have found new life.

Back to Index