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September 7 Daily Devotional

Jacob’s Encouragement

Frans Bakker

I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD. —Genesis 49:18

Bible Reading

Luke 2:25–32

Devotional

We find here the expectation of salvation in a dying man. This has been written in Scripture as an encouragement for all the spiritual children of Jacob, whether they are great or small, mature or immature. This event has been recorded in Scripture especially for those who must say of themselves, “Is salvation possible for me?” It was written in order that they would grasp courage from the deliverance of a sinner like Jacob.

If Jacob’s death had been the death of a perfect man, then, oh sinner, you would be standing at a distance and seeing him depart in peace. You would be staring at him as he left this life. Then you would have to conclude that this could never happen to you, for surely he was very good. But what a relief it is that Jacob’s sins have been openly recorded. It is evident that Jacob could only be saved by grace alone. Jacob only received salvation. He did not deserve it or earn it. It was granted to him by God’s free grace. This gives courage to a sinner.

When you see that all your self-made ways of salvation are falling away, that you can never be saved by your own works, nor by your prayers and tears, and when all your own avenues to be saved have failed or been cut off, then there is still one way open, and that is Christ. He has said, “I am the way.” O wonder of wonders! This way opens up when your own ways come to an end. Christ said it Himself: “Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am.” Therefore, they will surely come.

 

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.

 

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