July 8 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

2 Corinthians 7:8–10

Devotional

Do you know the godly sorrow that works repentance to salvation? Are you one who cannot stay away from the throne of grace? Are you grieving because you are so far removed from God? We read in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Why are the mournful blessed? Do their tears make them blessed? Can weeping bring blessing? No, a thousand times no! Never has anyone been blessed because he was sorrowful or because he wept. One can only be blessed because of the Savior. He had such great sorrow. He had godly sorrow as none other. Therefore, salvation is available for you. Christ was forsaken on the cross and cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” He was forsaken of God. As He was hanging on the cross, He was sorrowful, but He did not ask to be delivered from His agony. He did not ask to be delivered from His pain. He asked for only one thing: He asked for God.

People of God, your salvation flows forth from His crying for God. Your godly sorrow is a result of His work. You never would have asked for God if Christ had not asked for Him. Your yearning for God is a fruit of the Savior’s work. Salvation is in and through Christ.

The completed work of Christ on the cross should cause you to come in humility before His throne. You must realize that there is no value is your tears, nor in your weeping. Even your turning to God has no merit before God. That is painful for your sinful nature to accept. But your salvation is only in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. In that way room is made in your heart for the Savior. Salvation is not because of your strength, nor in the work you do. It is not because of the sacrifices you bring, nor because of the tears you shed. “Thou, Jesus, Thou canst save, and Thou alone.” Yes, Jesus is the source of salvation.

Therefore all tears will be wiped from your eyes, because salvation now rests firmly in the Savior. God in Christ will accomplish salvation for sorrowful ones. Therefore, persevere, you mourning one; take courage, for your heart will rejoice. Psalm 9:18 says, “For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.” Your salvation will one day be full and perfect in Him. Then you will eternally praise and magnify Him with lasting joy, for all tears will be wiped away from your eyes.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.