August 19 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Matthew 19:27–30

Devotional

The “first” of this earth are the proud. In church, they always listen in light of other people. The admonitions are passed on to others, but never to themselves. They cannot listen for themselves, for they continually eval— uate other people. Who will remove them from this pedestal? Who will make such rich ones poor? This is impossible with man. If God Himself does not intervene, those who are first—and there are many—will wake up to a terrible disillusion.

But what a blessed relief it will be in the Day of days for those who considered themselves the last. They could never compare themselves to the first. These last ones thought they could not even stand close to the first ones. But what a release it will be for the many last ones. In that day they will hear spoken to them, “Friend, go up higher” (Luke 14:10).

For who else did Christ protect than the weak and miserable ones? The Lord Jesus undertakes for those who cannot save themselves. They do not even know how to save themselves. These are the ones who put themselves down. They are aware of their inner corruption, and therefore they question a thousand times whether they ever can be saved. Such people stand in need of heavenly grace. They need to be saved by the wonder of God’s mercy. They are the ones who in hidden spiritual cravings sigh to God just for the lowest place. They have nothing to hold up before God unless heaven gives it to them. They humbly believe that all they have is from God. In this way, these last ones exalt God’s greatness. They carry the light of God’s grace on their back so that they seldom see their own light. What delight there will be when the King Himself will place them among the first.

If only now those who think they are majestic would learn to bow at the feet of Jesus! If only now they would fear God before the realities of an eternal hell fall on them and cause eternal fear. And let the last stay right where they are, in the last place. For in that way, their light will shine in the church and in the world, because the world is also dark because of pride. Let the last be last until the day comes when God reverses the order. That is the day in which truth in the inward parts will be exposed. Many that are first will be last and the last will be first.

 

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.