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February 13 Daily Devotional

Withered Seed

Frans Bakker

But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.—Mark 4:6

Bible Reading

Mark 4:1–9

Devotional

The seed that falls on stony ground germinates and comes up very quickly. But as soon as it comes up, it falls down because of the heat of the sun. It collapses due to lack of moisture for it has no roots to absorb water from below. And although the young plant has much growth, there is no fruit.

“When afflictions or persecution ariseth,” says the Lord Jesus. A person can be compared to the seed that falls on stony ground. When he is oppressed or goes through dark valleys, and must deny himself or lose his own life, then he feels the heat and withers. In the midst of heat or strife, self- denial or self-mortification, he collapses and dies.

Spiritual growth is the same as that of a seed; it must first go downward before it ascends. It does not begin with possessing, praising, and talking. God has a people who learn to descend into the depths as much as they ascend to the heights of spiritual life. As the illustrative seed that only grew upward, many people grow and bloom but produce no fruit in their lives. They grow in the wrong way and neglect to form deep roots.

Let us, therefore, examine ourselves closely to see where the seed has fallen in our lives. Look at what remains of the initial impressions, emotions, tears, prayers, and joy of your first spiritual awareness and commitment. Did your experience have root? Have these affections been seasoned by deeper discoveries of your own corruption? Do you sense your deep dependence on God and His grace? People can be so emotional that they weep tears and yet remain unregenerate. Our mouths can be full of praise and yet we perish. Heaven forbid that we rejoice in a grace that we did not receive, for if nothing changes we will weep eternally!

True growth is hidden because it lies beneath the soil. Christ will only grow in your life when you are cognizant of your lost condition. When you are mindful of your sinfulness, then your need for a Savior becomes paramount. The more you find death within, the more you will find life in Christ, for Christ is found in the depths of the knowledge of our own guilt and corruption.

A product of spiritual growth will be zeal for the service of the Lord. You can never have too much. It is necessary, however, that your outpouring of service be a direct result of your thankfulness for God’s work in your life. May your prayer be, “O Lord, break the rock of my heart, for on the surface there may seem to be a form of godliness, but within I am so hard. Open my eyes so that I will not lean upon some emotions, for that will be too short for me for eternity.”

 

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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