December 3 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Numbers 2:1–2, 25–31

Devotional

The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The position the Danites occupied was hindmost, but what did it matter since they were just as truly part of the host as were the foremost tribes? They followed the same fiery, cloudy pillar. They ate of the same manna. They drank of the same spiritual Rock. And they journeyed to the same inheritance. Come, my heart, cheer up, even though you are last and least. It is your privilege to be in the army. It is your privilege to fare as they do who lead the frontline. Someone must be farthest back in honour and esteem. Someone must do menial work for Jesus, and why not me? Whether in an impoverished place among poor and uneducated people or in a back street among degraded sinners, I will work on and go “last, under my standard.”

The Danites occupied a very useful place. Stragglers need to be picked up on the march. And lost property has to be gathered up from the field. Fiery spirits may dash forward over untrodden paths to learn fresh truth or to win more souls to Jesus. But some of a more conservative spirit may be well engaged in reminding the church of her ancient faith and restoring her languishing children. Every position has its duties! And the slowly moving children of God will find their particular situation one in which they may well be a great blessing to the whole army.

The rear guard is also a place of danger. There are foes behind us as well as in front of us. Attacks may come from any quarter. We read that Amalek fell upon Israel and slew some of its stragglers. The experienced Christian will find much work for his weapons in aiding those poor doubting, desponding, wavering souls who are behind in faith, knowledge, and joy. These must not be left unaided, and therefore let it be the business of well-taught saints to bear their standards among the hindmost. My soul, watch tenderly to help the hindmost this day.

[July 18]

Extracted from C. H. Spurgeon, Morning and Evening (public domain), language modernized by Larry E. Wilson.