Morning
Time: 7:03 AM PST
"They shall go hindmost with their standards." --Numbers 2:31
The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the
march. The Danites occupied the hindmost place, but what mattered the
position, since they were as truly part of the host as were the foremost tribes;
they followed the same fiery cloudy pillar, they ate of the same manna, drank of
the same spiritual rock, and journeyed to the same inheritance. Come, my heart,
cheer up, though last and least; it is thy privilege to be in the army, and to
fare as they fare who lead the van. Some one must be hindmost in honour and
esteem, some one must do menial work for Jesus, and why should not I? In a poor
village, among an ignorant peasantry; or in a back street, among degraded
sinners, I will work on, and "go hindmost with my standard."
The Danites occupied a very useful place. Stragglers have to be picked
up upon the march, and lost property has to be gathered from the field. Fiery
spirits may dash forward over untrodden paths to learn fresh truth, and 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 fainting sons.
Every position has its duties, and the slowly moving children of God will find
their peculiar state one in which they may be eminently a blessing to the whole
host.
The rear guard is a place of danger. There are foes behind us as well
as before us. Attacks may come from any quarter. We read that Amalek fell upon
Israel, and slew some of the hindmost of them. The experienced Christian will
find much work for his weapons in aiding those poor doubting, desponding,
wavering, souls, who are hindmost in faith, knowledge, and joy. These must not
be left unaided, and therefore be it the business of well-taught saints to bear
their standards among the hindmost. My soul, do thou tenderly watch to help the
hindmost this day.