June 5 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Acts 3:1–8

Devotional

A man sat at the gate which is called Beautiful. This gate was probably called Beautiful because it was made of shining brass. In utter contrast to the majesty of this beautiful gate, a lame beggar sat at the entrance in shame and humility. His misery was that he could not walk. But at the heart of the matter his misery was that he was a sinner. His lameness was a result of sin. Every affliction, every trouble, every sorrow, and every care has a cause, and that cause is sin. That beggar is our portrait.

We have become beggars, in a spiritual sense. We may have been placed in beautiful outward circumstances with much prosperity. We may have many blessings in outward life, but what benefit does this give us when corruption and misery are within.

We once were kings, but have become beggars. The Lord placed us in His beautiful Paradise. He appointed us to be kings, to rule over creation and to honor God. There was an abundance of fruit-bearing trees and man was free to eat of all these trees. But in the midst of Paradise was one tree of which the Lord said, “Thou shalt not eat of it.” And it was not because of hunger that Adam grasped for the fruit of the forbidden tree, but because of rebellion against God’s majesty. And then man fell into misery and death. From a king he became a beggar and all things that we now receive are undeserved gifts from God. God is not obliged to give us anything, just as you are not obliged to give a beggar anything. All that we are, we are by grace, whether it is by saving or common grace.

We have lost everything, for we have lost God. Blessed are we when we realize this. In recognizing our position in Christ we begin to see our need for conversion and our eternal welfare. Yet many live on as if they were kings, and in the end they will perish. It is necessary that we sit beside this man at the gate called Beautiful, and be directed to the cause of all trouble and misery in our lives. Then we can echo the words of Psalm 38:4, 6, “Mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly.” Our sins are the cause of our misery. Do you also acknowledge that your misery is because of your sin? This awareness will open for you the way of salvation in Christ.

 

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.