January 21

Morning

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. — Rom 11:26 BSB

When Moses sang by the Red Sea, his joy was in knowing that all of Israel was safe. Not a single drop of water fell from that solid wall of the sea until the very last person had safely crossed to the other side. Then, and only then, did the waters return to their place. Part of Moses' song was, “In Your mercy, You led forth the people You redeemed.”

In the same way, when all the elect sing the song of Moses and the Lamb at the end of time, it will be the boast of Jesus, “Of all whom You have given Me—I have lost none.” In heaven, no throne will be empty.

“For all the chosen race
Shall meet around the throne,
Shall bless the conduct of His grace,
And make His glories known.”

All those chosen by God, redeemed by Christ, and called by the Spirit—those who believe in Jesus—will safely cross the sea of this life. Not all have reached the other side yet: “Some have already crossed, and some are crossing now.” The front of the army has already reached the shore. We are still marching through the depths, following our Leader. Take heart! The rear-guard will soon be where the front already stands. The last of God’s chosen will cross safely, and then we will hear the triumphant song when all are secure.

But oh, what sorrow it would be if even one of His chosen family were missing! If one were lost, it would create an everlasting discord in the song of the redeemed, cutting the strings of heaven’s harps so that no music could ever come from them again.

Evening

And being very thirsty, Samson cried out to the LORD, “You have accomplished this great deliverance through Your servant. Must I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” — Judg 15:18 BSB

Samson was thirsty and on the verge of collapse. His problem was entirely different from anything he had faced before. Quenching his thirst seemed insignificant compared to defeating a thousand Philistines. But in that moment, his thirst felt like a bigger burden than his earlier victory.

It’s common for God’s people to find a small challenge more overwhelming than a great deliverance. Samson killed a thousand enemies and stacked them in piles, yet he nearly fainted from a lack of water. Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed, only to limp afterward because of a weakened hip. How strange it is that after great victories, we often experience moments of weakness, as if God wants to remind us of our smallness and dependence on Him.

Samson had boasted loudly when he said, “I have slain a thousand men!” But his boast soon turned into a hoarse cry for help as thirst overtook him, and he was forced to turn to prayer.

God has many ways of humbling His people. If you, dear child of God, have been brought low after receiving a great blessing, don’t be surprised. Your situation isn’t unusual. When David ascended to the throne of Israel, he said, “I am this day weak, though anointed king.” You may feel weakest at the moment of your greatest triumph. If God has delivered you before, your current challenge is just like Samson’s thirst, and God will not let you faint. He will not let your enemies rejoice over your weakness. The road to heaven may be filled with difficulties, but there are refreshing springs along the way. So take heart, dear friend—God will soon deliver you.