January 1 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Luke 13:6–9

Devotional

The barren fig tree mentioned by Jesus in Luke 13 is an illustration of every person in his natural state. A just verdict is pronounced against this tree because it does not bear fruit. Actually, it should be cut down.

But the tree receives an intercessor in the person of the gardener. The vineyard keeper asks the owner of the vineyard to give him another year. He would like to try once more to see if this barren tree will bear fruit. “Let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it.”

Here you see our portrait, for many of us look like this fig tree. This tree represents you and me. If we would only see this! In the year past there was no visible fruit whatsoever! The vinedresser comes to look and does not find any fruit. You were placed in the vineyard of the Lord to bring forth fruit, but where is it? Did you only produce leaves? Graciously you were able to enter another year. But could you have blamed God if He had not allowed you to do so? Surely you cannot say anything if the tree of your life is cut down. Examine yourself and ask: “Did I bring forth fruit that glorified God?” Consider what you owe God and examine the extent of your focus on the Lord this past year. God is entitled to fruit. Because the tree of your life is planted in God’s vineyard, He does no injustice to you when He asks for fruit. Although fruit is lacking, God still rightfully demands a harvest.

Considering all this, is it not a miracle that you were allowed to enter a new year? Should it not humble you that God is not tired of you? Not only did you fail to produce good fruits, but you brought forth stinking fruits. Yet, in spite of all this, the Lord is longsuffering and says, “Let it alone this year.” The Lord does not withdraw His goodness, even though you never stop sinning.

But remember that judgment delayed does not imply judgment cancelled. If the fig tree bears no fruit, then the gardener will say to the owner, “Then after that thou shalt cut it down.” The final blow will come and “in the place where the tree falleth, there it shall be.” But, until today we are still examples of God’s longsuffering. The Lord still bears with you. He carries and forebears you. He delays His judgment. You deserved judgment, but it was not carried out. But there is more.

God postpones judgment in order that He might cancel it! A new year is also a time of grace. What are you personally going to do with this precious time of grace? Knock, call, and seek before it is too late. Time is precious and there are few opportunities left to answer God’s call. The Lord has no pleasure in your death, but rather desires that you redeem the time given so mercifully to you.

May this year become a genuinely new year for you. What a blessing it would be if your life was a new beginning this year! Your life cannot stay the same. It must be changed and transformed. You must be converted.

Likewise, if you are a child of God it is not because of your worthiness that you entered a new year. It is only because the Lord has carried you from one day to the next. It is only because of the prayer of the great Intercessor who is seated at the right hand of God. If there is any fruit on your tree it is not produced by you but only by and through Christ (Hos. 14:8).

As you start another year may it cause you to be deeply dependent on Him who sustains all things. Your old nature is against you. What you will be able to offer the Lord with one hand, you will first have to receive from Him with the other hand. How this ought to humble you for you have nothing according to your own labors. In this life everything comes from the Father. Blessed are the poor in spirit for they will be made rich!

 

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.