The Everlasting Word

By Frans Bakker

With great pleasure we offer this daily devotional of meditations from the late Rev. Frans Bakker (1919-1965). His devotionals and meditations proved to be comforting and edifying to many of God's people in the Netherlands. Writing in a simple but penetrating style, Bakker emphasized the fullness of Christ for needy sinners.

In The Everlasting Word, all of Bakker's published meditations have been translated and compiled with additional selections from his sermons. We trust that the result is a collection filled with great nuggets of spiritual wisdom that you will enjoy. May this devotional be both an encouragement that edifies God's people and an admonition for a life with Christ in the present age.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
• Release date: Jan 1, 2007
• ISBN: 9781601784735

Book preview

The Everlasting Word

A Daily Devotional

by

Frans Bakker

compiled and translated by

Gerald Procee

REFORMATION HERITAGE BOOKS

and

FREE REFORMED PUBLICATIONS

2007

© 2007 by Gerald Procee

Published by

Reformation Heritage Books

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and

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Printed in the United States of America

12 13 14 15 16 17/10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

ISBN 978-1-60178-473-5 (epub)

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Bakker, Frans.

The everlasting word : a daily devotional / by Frans Bakker ; compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-60178-027-0 (hardcover : alk. paper) 1. Devotional calendars. I. Procee, Gerald R. II. Title.

BV4811.B3155 2007

242’.2—dc22

2007037961

For additional Reformed literature, request a free book list from Reformation Heritage Books at the above address.

FOREWORD

With great pleasure we offer this daily devotional of meditations from the late Rev. Frans Bakker’s (1919–1965) life ministry at the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in the Netherlands, the sister denomination to the Free Reformed Churches of North America. In 1981, Rev. Cornelis Pronk and his wife, Mrs. Frederika Pronk, introduced the writings of Rev. Frans Bakker to the English-speaking world by offering a translation of his book entitled Gebedsgestalten (Facets of Prayer). This small devotional book on prayer was warmly received and has been reprinted several times.

Rev. Bakker served the churches for only about eight years as a minister due to his untimely death. His devotionals and meditations proved to be comforting and edifying to many of God’s people. Bakker wrote in a simple but penetrating style and emphasized the fullness of Christ for needy sinners. Because his meditations are largely unknown to the English-speaking public, it is our desire to make them more accessible. The format of a daily devotional was chosen to promote a more systematic reading of his meditations.

It is our hope that you will read this devotional, The Everlasting Word, to your profit, and that it may be both uncovering and comforting. In this present volume all of Bakker’s published meditations have been compiled with additional selections from his sermons. Compilation of The Everlasting Word required translation from the original Dutch and slight editing for readability. We trust that the end result is a collection filled with great nuggets of spiritual wisdom that you will enjoy. We pray that this devotional will be both an encouragement that edifies God’s people and an admonition for a life with Christ in the present age. A brief biographical sketch of Rev. Bakker is provided as an introduction to the meditations.

I wish to acknowledge those who contributed to this translation project. Among those who have willingly given their support are Elder Gary Den Boer from Chilliwack, British Columbia and Mrs. Elly J. Kranendonk from Mitchell, Ontario, who each translated various meditations. Mr. Isaac Slabbekoorn of Biezelinge, the Netherlands, was so kind to provide biographical information.

I am indebted, as well, to Reformation Heritage Books for their willingness to publish this devotional. The advice given by their director of publishing, Mr. Jay Collier, was most helpful to expedite this project. In addition, the efforts of the RHB editorial staff were very effective.

These meditations and devotions are published with the desire that many who read and reflect upon them may be humbled before God and His sovereign grace which is exalted within them. May they be blessed to lead people into the tender fear of the Lord expressed in them. Rev. Bakker would have been humbled to know that his devotions and meditations would one day be published in the English language, but even more so to know that the Lord would bless them in these ways.

Gerald R. Procee

Minister of the Free Reformed Church

of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

August 2007

Rev. Frans Bakker

A Biographical Sketch

Frans Bakker was born on March 9, 1919 in the little village of Wolfaartsdyk in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands. After losing both his parents to death, he moved in with his older brother in the city of Goes. Because of these losses he was confronted with the hardships of life at a young age. This colored his personality, evidenced in his melancholy and reserved character.

Living with his relatives, Bakker learned the trade of a cobbler and managed a modest business selling shoes. In those days it was customary for peddlers to visit people’s homes. In these interactions, he learned to compassionately identify with the struggles of his customers in a personal manner. This practical knowledge would help him tremendously in his later work as a minister of the gospel.

Frans Bakker was born and raised in the Gereformeerde Kerken, the Dutch equivalent to the Christian Reformed Churches in North America. During World War II he joined the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken, the Dutch equivalent to the Free Reformed Churches of North America. He became a member of the congregation at Biezelinge. This denomination captured the love of his heart because of their scriptural-experiential and pastoral preaching, combined with the emphasis on the rich and free offer of God’s gracious promises of salvation.

Early in his youth Frans feared the Lord and delighted to read and study God’s Word and carefully examine its doctrines. As a young man he was asked to lead the young people’s society of the church at Biezelinge and did so capably. He also ministered to the congregation in a very conscientious manner as elder. But Bakker was not satisfied with part-time service. Increasingly his heart’s desire was to serve full-time as a minister of the gospel.

Bakker’s endeavors to become a minister posed some financial problems. A good friend and fellow elder, Isaac Slabbekoorn, offered him part-time work in his fruit orchard to supplement his income. This additional income, together with his main source of income repairing and selling shoes, was so blessed by the Lord that Frans was able to save money and finance his theological studies. The Lord also blessed his studies through Mr. and Mrs. Hoogendoorn. The Hoogendoorns gave him personal support and also provided financial assistance. Bakker came to clearly sense God’s call and financial provision in his life, and soon began his theological studies.

At this stage of his life, Bakker was still unmarried. On a certain occasion his relatives sought out a bride for him. He wavered in his affections and solicited the advice of a good friend who counseled him that if the desire to marry this woman did not come from his heart, he should not do it. Frans subsequently declined this proposal and remained single for most of his life.

Frans Bakker’s life was characterized by humility and marked by compassion toward his fellow man. He was moved with the needs of people around him; the spiritual needs of others especially weighed heavily on him. He was an honest and conscientious man, and seriously considered the doctrines of God’s Word. He was a man of clear convictions but he respected ministers from various denominations, as long as they were biblically and exegetically sound. He continued to respect a number of ministers of the federation he left, the Dutch CRC.

It was a happy day for Frans Bakker when in 1949 he was accepted by the curatorium to study at the Theological School of the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands. The demanding studies would take seven years to complete. But with love and dedication Bakker worked hard and was able to pass all the required exams.

In 1956 Candidate Bakker was made eligible for call in the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerken. He was thirty-seven years old. He received eight calls and the Lord inclined him to accept the call to the congregation of Huizen. His classis exam took place on October 10, 1956 in Amsterdam. Rev. M.C. Tanis, as chairman of classis, led the examination. Rev. G. Bilkes was recording secretary. The sermon to be preached was on 1 Peter 2:7a: Unto you therefore which believe he is precious. The vote was unanimous and Candidate Bakker received his credentials. His installation in Huizen took place on Wednesday, November 14. The officiating minister was Rev. H. van Leeuwen from the congregation of Arnhem. On November 15, Rev. Bakker preached his inaugural sermon in Huizen on 2 Corinthians 5:11a: Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men.

At the time of his installation, Rev. Bakker was still single. In the following years he found a helpmeet in Miss N. Dieleman from Terneuzen. Little did he realize the blessing he would receive from her. She was a registered nurse and would be able to give special medical care to her husband in the years to come.

Rev. Bakker labored faithfully in the congregation of Huizen, but within three years he received a call to the congregation of Driebergen. Initially he declined the call, but shortly after this, with the approval of classis, he accepted. Installation took place on July 22, 1959, with Rev. H. van Leeuwen from Arnhem again as the officiating minister. Rev. Bakker preached his inaugural sermon in Driebergen on 1 Corinthians 2:2, For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

Frans Bakker was a gifted preacher who could explain deep spiritual truths in simple words. He lovingly offered Christ to his hearers. His sermons were characterized by childlike simplicity and yet dealt with profound depths.

It was only after a few years of happy marriage, and after having served the congregation of Driebergen for a short time, that concerns arose regarding the health of Rev. Bakker. On August 5, 1963 he was admitted to the hospital. There he was diagnosed with cancer and was confronted with the reality of death. The doctors suggested major surgery despite devastating consequences for his body. Rev. Bakker weighed the cost, struggled through these afflictions, and came forth as one who had found comfort in God. He was at full peace with whatever the outcome of the surgery would be. He could surrender himself fully to the surgeons for he knew that ultimately his body and soul were in the hands of God Almighty.

Bakker’s stay in the hospital was a blessed time for him and his wife. The surgery was a success. Through his afflictions he was purged and enabled to bear more fruit. During his hospital stay, many visited him from various churches and denominations. It was a liberating joy to pay a visit to this simple Christian, for Frans had a friendly word for every one of them, encouraging them in the life of faith in Christ. After a long period of rest, Rev. Bakker was again enabled to preach the Word of God on January 12, 1964.

During Bakker’s surgery and recovery time his congregation finalized plans for the construction of a new church building. The foundation stone for the new church building was laid on March 14, 1964. Rev. Bakker spoke on 1 Peter 2:5a, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house.

After recuperation took place, it became clear that the sickness was still present in his body. On July 21, 1964, he attended the consistory meeting for the last time. On October 30, 1964 it became public that Rev. Bakker was incurably ill. The cancer was very aggressive. In spite of his tears this young minister struggled courageously against his disease. Without fear he faced death. He could say: I am ready to depart. He stood, as it were, on the deck of the ship of his life and saw the harbor approaching with the shining lights on the coast.

On the Lord’s Day, November 29, 1964, the newly finished church building of the congregation of Driebergen was inaugurated. There was joy because of this new building, but there was also sorrow because their own minister was unable to conduct the opening. The counselor, Rev. M. Baan from Zeist, officiated. He read his text, Revelation 21:22–25, and said that it had been Rev. Bakker’s intention to preach on this text at the opening of the new church building, but the Lord had decided otherwise.

Slowly but steadily Rev. Bakker became weaker. His whole congregation was allowed to say good-bye to him and two at a time they visited him by his bedside. His testimonies made a vivid impression, especially upon young people. When his strength became so weak that he realized he would never preach again, he wrote in the local church bulletin of October 23, 1964, a final farewell letter to his congregation:

As my strength is declining, this will probably be the last time that I may address you in our church bulletin. I greatly desired to be able to minister God’s Word in your midst one last time, but physically that has now become impossible. Still I am grateful that I am able to express myself in writing, which I view as a word of farewell. I feel that the sickness and the pain are increasing. Happily that is not the only thing, for though often in pain, there is a joy in God, which I would not want to exchange for health. Heaven is coming closer and the earth is losing more and more of its attraction.

Even before we received the terrible message, I already on a certain afternoon received so much peace in God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, that I felt I was not far from the rest that will surely remain for God’s people. The Lord is at times so near that it is as if I already hear His voice saying: Enter in the joy of your Lord.

To die implies to meet God. But at times my soul is very desirous to meet God. What a miracle this is, for who am I that the Lord ministers to me so abundantly! Here is nothing of myself, nothing, nothing. And that is now exactly my joy. I say this also to the benefit of those who also have nothing. That does not mean, beloved, that we are insensitive to the separation that death brings to pass. There are also times that my dear wife and I are both crying because of the terrible reality of having to be separated. That is how things are also with my beloved relatives. I also know that it is hard for you as a congregation to have to let go of me. From my side I feel the same towards you. I write this with much emotion. Love needs the other. I am convinced that a bond of love has been present between us. I may even believe (oh, what joy this is at the end of my course) that there has been blessing upon my feeble labors.

As far as I am concerned, I would have loved to remain with you. On a certain night when I had no pain, I was directed to the word taken from Revelation, that there shall be no more temple, but God Himself will be the temple and the Lamb. It was with this verse that I had hoped to dedicate the new church building. The preaching would have amounted to this—that every house of worship on earth will eventually have to subside and that our new earthly temple, the building in which we may meet, must minister to the new heavenly temple.

The Lord decided differently, but still applied this text to my soul by loosening me from our new church building and uniting me to the everlasting temple.

Read the first portion of 2 Corinthians 5 and also 2 Corinthians 4. The Lord used these passages to comfort me so richly, even before we received the message that my disease was incurable. As far as I am concerned, I would have loved to stay with you. But the Lord has said this way is the best way. The eleventh chapter of my little book on Gebedsgestalten (Facets of Prayer), which deals with Moses who could not enter the land of earthly Canaan, had to become reality in my life. While I was still in the hospital, this moved me greatly, and I must say that before that time I never really had much expectation to recuperate, even though I hoped for and clung to life. Yet the Lord was the One who heard your many prayers on my behalf at His throne, for He gave that after my return from the hospital I could still preach His Word many times to you. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels….

Beloved congregation, who am I, that the Lord was willing to call me and use me in this blessed office. Certainly bitterness and sins were also present in the ministry. But again, who am I that the Lord was willing to make some use of me. During my student days, I used to say: Even if I could only for a very little while call out to sinners to grasp hope in Christ Jesus. At that stage I didn’t realize what I said, but according to the contents the Lord has fulfilled this in my life. Even if the time of ministerial work was short, I may still believe that it was a time in the favor of my Sender. And when the earthen vessel will be broken, shall it then complain? No, it should far sooner give thanks that it was honored to bear the treasure and to display it.

Now beloved, what are you going to do with the treasure of God’s Word when in a little while the earthen vessel shall be broken? The important matter is not the vessel but it is the treasure. Let the vessel be broken, as long as you may have the treasure. For then the vessel has finished its task. Then it is the eternal King of the church who Himself said to His church: I will not leave you fatherless. For then there are everlasting bonds in Him. Where your treasure is, that is also where your heart shall be. That is now my prayer for you. That is why there is no greater privilege for you than when the Word of God, that I was enabled to seed amongst you, may have germinated in your heart. The Lord knows that it was done with much sin and many shortcomings, but from my side I cannot add or subtract anything from the Word of truth I preached to you. The Lord knows that also among you there are those who have entered their closets with His Word. The Word uncovered or comforted them. At any rate, His Word shall not return to Him void, and may it be for none of us a savor of death unto death, but may it be unto fruit of life. God’s grace is sufficient also for that.

Finally, beloved congregation and all who read this, I wish you farewell on the journey to eternity. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Rev. Bakker also wrote his final meditation in this same church bulletin. It focused on 2 Corinthians 4:7, But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. This meditation is included in The Everlasting Word and can be found in the daily reading of October 1.

Frans Bakker’s consistory responded by writing a public farewell to their beloved minister in the church bulletin of November 13, 1964. The sting of death was removed for him. He knew that he was no longer his own but that he belonged to his faithful Savior, the living Lord Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life. Death did not devour his life, but He who is the Life devoured death. He died on Saturday, January 2, 1965. God removed this youthful soldier of Christ out of this life. All that was imperfect in his life is now done away with as he reached perfection in Christ.

The counselor, Rev. M. Baan, wrote underneath Bakker’s obituary:

The above printed message has a black lining in the margins around it, but in reality there is also a golden lining around the black one. The black lining portrays our grief and sorrow. The golden lining that we imagine around it preaches to us heavenly joy for him, who on the day of his passing away entered the joy of the Lord…. He never heard the ringing of the church bells of the new church building, but what is much more is that he heard the ringing of the bells of New Jerusalem when he was privileged to enter the joy of his Lord….

Rev. Bakker made all his funeral arrangements prior to his death. The text for the meditation was to be John 11:11, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth. Rev. Baan conducted the funeral on January 7, 1965. Rev. Bakker had asked the counselor to emphasize the word ‘sleepeth,’ seeing that he had received much comfort in the resurrection of the dead. He also wished that the words ‘our friend’ be emphasized, because the Lord unites Himself to His church, so that subsequently He can later unite His church to Himself. Nearly 2,000 people were present at his funeral. Two church buildings were overflowing and connected by a telephone system.

Rev. Frans Bakker was only permitted to labor for a little more than eight years as a minister of the Word. He died in the prime of his life at the age of forty-five. He was not a great orator, yet many people loved his preaching because of the simple but deep spiritual content. His sermons were plain and direct so that even children could follow them. Yet, at the same time his sermons were so penetrating and deep that experienced children of God found spiritual food in them. His sermons were characterized by humility and seriousness. Bakker caused the poor and unworthy sinner to recognize his need for God’s free and rich grace in his life.

During his life, at the request of many, Bakker agreed, in 1963, to the publication of his devotions on prayer, known as Gebedsgestalten. This work was so well loved that nine reprints were necessary in the following three years. More than 25,000 copies have been sold. After his death, the publishing company De Banier in the Netherlands compiled and published various volumes of meditations and sermons, which are greatly loved and read by many of God’s people in the Netherlands and in North America. It was through the publication of these meditations that he became well known in the Netherlands after his death. Indeed, this man of God still speaks.

—Gerald R. Procee

JANUARY 1

God’s Patience

A Reflection on the New Year

Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it.

—Luke 13:8

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!

JANUARY 2

The Longsuffering of God

That there shall come in the last day scoffers.

—2 Peter 3:3a

There were scoffers in the congregation to whom Peter addressed this letter. Their scoffing consisted of mocking the preaching of Christ’s return, just as happened in the days of Noah. Everything stays the same, they said. The one day goes, the next day comes, but the day of His coming never arrives. Our fathers believed in the day of His coming, and now they are buried. And why should we then wait for that day? Nothing happens anyway. Let us rather eat, drink, and be merry. And so scoffers fool themselves and love the world with all its lusts of the flesh as if nothing bad can happen.

Scoffers are present within the congregation rather than entering from the world. A real scoffer can only be found in the church under the preaching of the Word of God. In the world, scoffing words do not even have to be spoken. The scoffers simply ignore God’s second coming and cling to this world. They act as if the Lord is not returning, yet they do know that it is appointed unto men once to die and appear before God’s judgment seat.

The old year has passed and a new year has just started for us. On New Year’s Eve we are often sentimental. In addition, our conscience tells us that we did not accomplish our set goals. In fact, hardly has a new year arrived and we live as if there will be no end to it. We easily go back to our daily tasks and the call to repentance is ignored.

Our days are very similar to the time of Peter. The scoffers are very close. They live in our own heart. We often live here on this earth as if there was no eternity. We live as if there is no God. We can be deaf and arguably we do not even desire to hear. Furthermore, we are blind and yet we do not want to see. In reality we behave in like manner to those of Peter’s day in spite of the fact that we might die any day.

How many scoffers are in the congregation today? The years come and go, yet scoffers remain unchanged. They have heard that the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, but they do not really believe it. If they did, they would portray a different attitude and be less worldly. They would be as pilgrims journeying to eternity.

It is due to the longsuffering of God that He did not yet return on the clouds. Because of His love He wants scoffers to turn to Him in this remaining time. The Lord postpones that day and still calls out: Look unto me, and be ye saved. It is the Lord’s patience with men that cries out, Let the fig tree alone this year also.

To the unconverted, the Lord beseeches you to fall down on your knees and ask forgiveness before that day comes. Child of God, do not forget that we are strangers here on the earth.

JANUARY 3

Although…Yet

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

—Habakkuk 3:17, 18

Habakkuk speaks of withered fig trees, vines without fruit, barren fields, empty folds, and stalls without herds, and yet he rejoices in the LORD. Regardless of what the future brings—even if there is no bread on the table—Habakkuk wishes to rejoice in the Lord. These days we wish each other blessings for the New Year. We wish each other prosperity and not empty barns, barren fields, or other hardships. Habakkuk’s emphasis is not on outward prosperity but on the Lord. He says that as long as he has the Lord, all will be well. The most important thing for Habakkuk is not the blessing of God but God Himself. He does not have an extensive wish list for the future. He has but one wish for the New Year and it is that God will be his portion. Habakkuk’s joy lies in the God of all salvation.

Given all the treasures of the earth and the promise of many years with all the blessings mortal men desire, Habakkuk would refuse the gift. God is more precious to him than this temporal life and the finest gold on earth. Habakkuk is not satisfied with little or with much. He only wants God Himself as his portion. If he receives many blessings but does not have God, he will still be in darkness. On the contrary, if he has very little in daily life, he will still rejoice as long as he has the Lord as his portion.

If you enter a prosperous year and receive all that your heart desires, yet lack God, it will be a disastrous year for you. It is better to be bowed under a cross with the Lord than to have a life of abundance without God. The important question, therefore, is: Have you begun this year with God? Do you have the Lord as your God? Do you know something of the secret Habakkuk speaks of: "Although…Yet"? Do you seek God before all things and are you satisfied with the blessings of God? If God’s blessings depart and disappointments come, will you be alone?

It is imperative that you understand that without God you really have nothing. This year, seek God before everything else. More than bread, happiness, pleasure, or honor, you need God for time and eternity. You do not have any guarantee that you will see the end of this year. You are blessed if you understand Habakkuk’s secret. When difficulties arrive, God will be your strength. Even if you have to go through the shadows of death, His rod and His staff will support you.

JANUARY 4

Our Past Days

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

—John 1:29

Before Thy clear and searching sight, our secret sins are brought to light. These lines are recorded in Psalter 245, which is often sung on New Year’s Eve. It is really a very somber thought to end the year with. We can note that the old year has passed away but every sin we committed in this past year is recorded in heaven. When the day of final judgment arrives, these books will be opened. Then the sins of all the days of our life will be laid open. God records all the days of our life together with all the deeds we committed. God is just and His justice cannot skip a day of our life. We may forget some of the days of our life but God’s justice cannot forget them.

The lines of Psalter 245 do not have the final say. Praise God; for in the midst of all the days that are past, there is also Christmas Day. We may add a word to the lines of Psalter 245. After the last word we may add the word except. Our secret sins are brought to light…except. Our sins will be exposed, except there has come another day in our life; we have a next day. That day is written of in the first chapter of John.

From the other Gospels we know that on previous days John preached about the ax laid at the root of the tree, about the fire, and about the fan. It was all judgment. John points to sin and to the demands of God’s holy law. He preaches that our secret sins are brought to light. God remembers the sins of or past days. But, The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Those who know this next day in their lives are acquitted from all the days of the past. This next day is the day of meeting the Lamb of God. On such a day everything becomes different. Everything in our life becomes new forever because Jesus takes away the sins of poor sinners.

JANUARY 5

The Next Day!

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

—John 1:29

The next day…. John preaches about the ax laid at the root of the tree. He proclaims the judgment of God against sin. But the next day John sees Jesus coming to him and he says, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sins of the world. When the Lamb of God appears, it is a different day. This is the day of grace, for this Lamb takes upon Himself the sins of all those who were brought low under John’s preaching. This next day is the day of meeting the Lamb of God who makes all things 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 Cor. 5:17). All the guilt of the past is no longer imputed to such a one, but has been transferred to the account of another, the Lamb of God. He was born to be slaughtered as a sacrifice for sin.

The next day…. This is the day the Lord provides a sacrifice for Himself. According to justice, people are required to pay off sin’s debt forever on their own. As long as we have never experienced the day of the Lamb of God, all the sins of the past remain imputed to us. The next day—the new day—is what we all need to experience now. For in eternity there will never be a next day. We have also been permitted to have a New Year’s Day. That is also another day—a new day.

Make haste for your life’s sake. This year might be the year of your death. If things in your life on New Year’s Day are just as they were in the old year, then it is necessary that this year become new for you. Blessed are you when you realize your guilt is increasing daily and on your own you can never pay off anything. Blessed are you when you cannot find days of rest until this new day has become your share. It will only be a new, blessed year when the sinner comes to the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world.

The next day…. Behold the Surety enters the life of him whose debt has become so heavy. What a joyful matter that God Himself prepared such a day. The Lamb of God was not obliged to give Himself to the slaughter. Christ gave Himself out of free love for sinners. The sinner did not deserve this grace; he had not even asked for this. So this next day makes up for all the other days. When we have experienced this day the guilt of all the other days is covered. If we do not experience the forgiveness offered by Christ’s sacrifice, then guilt is still open and not one day shall be forgotten in the judgment of God.

JANUARY 6

Otherwise We Cannot Continue

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

—Exodus 33:15

The fact that true faith is not easily satisfied is clearly illustrated by Moses’ desire for God to accompany him on his journey. Moses receives the command that the Israelites must continue their journey through the wilderness. God gives Moses the promise that an angel will go with him and the people, but that is not enough for Moses. His desire is for God alone.

True faith is not easily satisfied. Of course we cannot demand anything of the Lord for the Lord is not obliged to give us anything. Our sinfulness causes us to forfeit every right before God. That is something Moses and his people acknowledge after the people have danced around the golden calf. Our past, as well, speaks loudly of our sinfulness. We have no right to any claims for a blessing from the Lord at the beginning of this New Year. If only all of us would truly believe this.

We need the Lord Himself to come alongside us. Moses did not have enough in a promise or even with an angel from heaven. He does not dare to continue his journey through the wilderness with only an angel. For what does a promise mean if we lack communion with God? What good can an angel from heaven do without the God of heaven? Moses would rather not continue on for he needs the Lord Himself. A promise is beautiful. An angel from heaven is even more satisfying. But without the countenance of the Lord shining on us we have a poor beginning in the new year.

Do not be too easily satisfied. You need the Lord and nothing less. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

JANUARY 7

Drawing Love

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

—Exodus 33:15

The Lord commands Moses to continue his journey with the people of Israel through the wilderness. But the Lord will not go up with this people anymore because they have sinned. Now God offers to send an angel along with them. But Moses rejects the proposal. Moses needs the Lord to lead them further.

The Lord knows that Moses could not comfort himself with the promise of an angel. The promise stands as a trial of faith. The Lord’s proposal causes the heart of Moses to burn for the living God. Moses realizes God’s people cannot continue without Him. Their hearts yearn for the living God. They cannot live or go on without God.

God wants Moses to feel what it would be like to continue without Him. That is why the Lord proposes to send an angel along from heaven. This is how God deals with sinners. When He wants to incorporate people into His blessed communion, He first leads them into the darkest depths.

The Lord sometimes appears to withdraw Himself, while in reality He desires to draw His children to Himself. The Lord shows the sinner how awful it is to be without God. At the same time, the Lord also shows that it is impossible for Him to have communion with the sinner. Then the Lord shows how, by His great mercy, He Himself bridges the huge chasm between Himself and the sinner. In this way the Lord Himself shows what lives in His child’s heart. He shows that His child cannot live without Him.

Is your heart like this, beloved? Do you dare enter the new year without the welcoming countenance of the Lord resting upon you? Perhaps you are asking for many things. But if you are content with less than the Lord Himself, you still do not ask enough. There is no greater sorrow on earth imaginable than to be without God. Has that also become your greatest sorrow? What would be your greatest joy? Give an honest answer to these questions.

What a glorious mystery that those who are without God, and yet cannot live without Him, can never ask too much of God! Moses petitioned the Lord and the Lord waited for such a petition. Having shown them their poverty, He gives them everything they ask of Him. In spite of suffering, hardship, pressure, sickness, or death, we can be comforted by the welcoming countenance of the Lord.

For our sake, God’s countenance did not shine upon Christ at Calvary. He had to go His own way while being forsaken of the Father. He did this so that a sinner who has forsaken God may still experience the Lord’s willingness to journey with him. We can experience the unfathomable love of God for sinners. May God truly be adored!

JANUARY 8

The Circumcision

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child….

—Luke 2:21a

Circumcision was a privilege for the Israelite. It was also their calling and their shame. It was a privilege for them to be circumcised because it was the sign of God’s covenant. By this covenant Israel was distinguished from the Gentiles. By means of this sign, God united Himself to His people. He affirmed that descendants of Abraham who were circumcised lived under God’s revelation. What a great privilege! For, after all, an Israelite was by birth no better than any Gentile; he also was conceived and born in sin.

Circumcision was also a calling. God desired it as a sign. That sign showed the necessity of purification. It referred to the origin of the generations. This sign had everything to do with the existence and continuation of the human race. It focused on the organ that carried the seed that produced depraved sinners. Circumcision was symbolic of the cutting away of sin and of subsequent cleansing. It was a sign of God’s covenant with His people. The Lamb of God came to take away sins and make people right with God.

Circumcision was also a shame. It is a shame because it was a sign that all newborn human beings are fallen creatures. Even before he could talk, think, or commit actual sins, the sign of shame had to be applied to the creature. We are a corrupt human generation. We are born in shame. We do not sin because we follow bad examples, but uncleanness is present in us before we commit one sin.

Were Joseph and Mary mistaken then when they had their Child circumcised on the eighth day? Does this pure Child need the sign of shame? Is it not a terrible humiliation for this Child to be laid under the knife as if He was as unclean as others who were born into this world? Admittedly it is a deep humiliation that this Child must be subjected to the same ritual required for sinful people. Still, Joseph and Mary were not mistaken in doing this, for they were not the ones who gave this sign to this Child. God the Father Himself caused the Surety to be born into this world and subjected Him to that sign. The Christ-Child is born under God’s law to fulfill it. He had to do this as the Substitute of His people, for they bore that sign of subjection to God’s law. To be their Surety, He had to stand in their place, even from His very first beginnings on earth. This ensured that man’s sins would be added to His account.

JANUARY 9

Fulfilling the Law

And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child….

—Luke 2:21a

The Christ-Child was circumcised. God wanted this to happen. The Son of God had to come under the law and that implied He was under the obligation to fulfill the law. This is depicted in circumcision. He had to show full obedience to the law to pay the penalty of the law. The penalty of the law was blood. Blood had to flow as a payment to God for breaking His laws. That is why blood had to be shed in the circumcision of Christ. Here in this act, He sheds His blood. In His death He was the Surety. But He was already Surety in His birth. It was for that purpose that He gave Himself.

Joseph and Mary are not the ones who subject Him to this sign. He yields Himself to it. In His everlasting love for sinners He Himself desires that sign. To be Surety for His people, from His birth on, He was not permitted to belong to the ninety-nine just ones, who did not need repentance. They judge that they do not need the circumcision of their heart. Christ was not to be like them. That is why He had to be circumcised on the eighth day. He confessed that He was born under the law, and under the sins and guilt of His people.

How great Christ is here in His humiliation! How necessary He is! We cannot live without Him. We need grace to show us our poverty in order to assess the true value of Christ. Those who now must complain with David about the vileness of their own birth may hear the proclamation that there is a means to be washed from their sins. That washing happens by means of His blood. His circumcision confirms that He shed His blood as a payment for sin.

His circumcision also confirms that the Son of God truly descended in the flesh. Man is born in sin. Jesus will be your Mediator if you know and acknowledge your unrighteousness. Or do you still belong to the ninety and nine just persons which need no repentance (Luke 15:7)? Then this Child means nothing to you.

It was a privilege to be circumcised because this sign of the covenant entailed that one was under God’s special care. That same privilege is also applicable to baptism that takes the place of circumcision. What a privilege to be under God’s care and to be in His covenant! But, oh, who can keep this covenant? One incurs a double guilt if he perishes under such covenant privileges. He who knows himself as a covenant-breaker experiences something of this reality. But now the circumcision of Christ provides everlasting significance for him who rightly accuses himself of being a covenant-breaker. In His circumcision Christ has shown that He is now on his side. At the same time, because of the payment of His blood, He is on God’s side. What a perfect Surety He is for His church!

JANUARY 10

The Flight into Egypt

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.

—Matthew 2:13

The wise men had barely departed from the East when Joseph and Mary’s lives were turned upside down. It was a highlight in their lives when the men of the East, led by the star and laden down with their gifts, came to declare that this Child was the Son of God. God’s Spirit took care that this Child was welcomed to the earth. This must have been a great encouragement for Mary and Joseph. After the wise men left, they lay themselves down to sleep with heavenly peace in their hearts. In this new covenant they experienced more profoundly than the poet of the old covenant: I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me (Ps. 3:5).

Now, however, comes the lowest point. During the night Joseph awakens and is told that he should take the young Child and His mother and flee into Egypt because Herod is on his way to kill the young Child. Isn’t this a terrible, sobering thought? Joseph enters into a blessed sleep, and now he and his family must flee. The Child is still too young to speak, and the angel of God does not further explain why they must flee.

Flee? Flee with the Son of God? Flee because of Herod? Flee for a human being? How is that possible? If this Child were truly the Son of God, is it not possible that with one act of His almighty power God could send a legion of angels to subdue Herod? Or could He not send fire down from heaven to consume this wicked king? Nevertheless, they must flee during this night for otherwise this Child will be slain.

Is this the Child that the wise men bowed to and worshipped? Is this the Child whom Simeon saw and pronounced as the Savior, proclaiming that he could now die in peace? Anna confessed the same thing. Is this that Child? Is this the Child whom the shepherds worshipped? Had they not made known abroad all they heard and saw of this Child? Had it all been true, or had they been mistaken?

God’s work in Mary and Joseph and for all who confess Jesus is tested. The church seems to lose its Child. Their Redeemer has to flee from a murderer. Is not that a riddle for those who have seen in Him everything they missed in themselves? It is a riddle and the solution is not yet given.

Dark ways would not be so dark if by every bend in the road there would be lights to allow us to see why things happen. The Lord, however, does not provide an explanation of His secret will; He expects His people to follow, being blind for the future, yet seeing by faith. God leads in ways that are unknown and even less desired. Upon that pathway, trials are present and self-denial is experienced. Sometimes it seems like a regressing path. Lord, open our eyes that we may see.

JANUARY 11

Humiliation

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth.

—Luke 2:51

The humiliation of Jesus begins in His youth. Nazareth was a town of lower Galilee and the boyhood home of Jesus. As a boy of Nazareth, He was fulfilling the prophecy that He would be a Nazarene. This becomes clear as we read in our text that Jesus went down to the town of Nazareth with His earthly parents. Nazareth was a despised place and was of no importance to the religious leaders of the day. The center of Jewish religion was Jerusalem. The study of God’s Word had diminished in Nazareth and the orthodox Jews despised the Galileans. Indeed, Nathanael had every reason to ask if anything good could come from Nazareth. Nobody would ever expect the Messiah to come from Nazareth, for although Scriptures foretold He would be a Nazarene, the prophet Micah stated that He would come from Bethlehem.

To this place of contempt Jesus goes with His parents. He goes to live in a town that people shunned. No one had any expectation of Nazareth. In those days if you came from Nazareth, you were considered unworthy in religious circles. This was a deep humiliation for the Son of David. He had just witnessed that God was His Father and now He had to descend from Mount Zion to this obscure place in order to go to Galilee. All the disciples of Jesus, with the exception of Judas Iscariot, came from Galilee. Later, His disciples would be called ignorant Galileans. Judas came from Judah and became the Lord’s traitor.

Jesus was called