December 31

Morning

On the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood up and called out in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. — John 7:37 BSB

Patience had its perfect work in the Lord Jesus, and just as He pleaded with the Jews until the last day of the feast, so on this last day of the year, He pleads with us, waiting to show us grace. The long-suffering of our Savior is truly remarkable—He has borne with some of us year after year despite our provocations, rebellions, and resistance to His Holy Spirit. What a wonder that we are still in the land of mercy!

His pity is expressed so clearly, for Jesus cried out, not only with a loud voice but with tenderness in His tone. He begs us to be reconciled to Him. “We plead with you,” says the Apostle, “as though God were making His appeal through us.” What earnest and loving words! How deep the love that moves our Lord to weep over sinners, to woo them like a mother calling her children to her arms. Surely, such a plea will stir our hearts to respond.

Jesus has provided everything we need to satisfy the thirst of our souls. For our consciences, His atonement brings peace. For our minds, His gospel offers the richest wisdom. For our hearts, the person of Jesus is the most worthy object of affection. And for our entire being, the truth of Jesus is the purest source of nourishment. Thirst may be a terrible thing, but Jesus alone can quench it. Even if the soul is utterly famished, Jesus can restore it.

This provision is made freely, and every thirsty soul is welcome. There is no requirement but thirst. Whether it's the thirst of greed, ambition, pleasure, knowledge, or peace—if you are thirsty, you are invited. The thirst may be sinful in nature, a craving for deeper indulgence in lust, but it is not the goodness in us that draws the invitation—Jesus freely offers it to all, without distinction.

The call is clear: we must come to Jesus—not to works, rituals, or doctrines—but to the personal Redeemer who bore our sins in His body on the cross. He is the only hope for the sinner. Oh, for grace to come now and drink before the sun sets on this final day of the year! There is no need for waiting or preparation.

To drink is to receive, and no fitness is required for this. A fool, a thief, or even a harlot can drink. Sinful character is no barrier to the invitation to believe in Jesus. There’s no need for a golden cup or an ornate chalice to carry this water; the poorest mouth may stoop and drink. Blistered, leprous, or filthy lips may touch this stream of divine love—they won’t pollute it but will themselves be purified by it. Jesus is the source of hope. Listen to His loving voice as He cries out to us: “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to Me and drink!”

Evening

“The harvest has passed, the summer has ended, but we have not been saved.” — Jer 8:20 BSB

Not saved! Dear reader, is this truly your mournful condition? You've been warned about the coming judgment, told to flee for your life, and yet here you stand—unsaved! You know the way of salvation. You’ve read it in the Bible, heard it from the pulpit, and had it explained by friends, yet you continue to neglect it. How will you excuse yourself when the Lord comes to judge the living and the dead?

The Holy Spirit has blessed the Word preached to you. Times of spiritual refreshing have passed by, yet you remain without Christ. Season after season, opportunities have come and gone—your summer and harvest have passed, and yet you are still not saved. Year after year has slipped into eternity, and now the final year of your life is approaching—youth is gone, and manhood is fading, but still, you are unsaved. Let me ask you—do you ever expect to be saved? What hope is there that you will change? Already, you have rejected the most favorable opportunities. What more could possibly be done for you?

God’s means of grace have not succeeded with you—no matter how lovingly and persistently they’ve been presented. Affliction and prosperity have both failed to awaken your heart. Tears, prayers, and sermons have all fallen on barren ground. Isn’t it likely that you will remain as you are until death closes the door of hope forever?

Does this thought disturb you? It should. It’s a reasonable assumption that you will continue in this condition and that you will die unsaved. Is it not more likely that you will remain unmoved, having ignored so many calls to repentance, than that you will suddenly turn now? Many have procrastinated until it was too late—just like Felix, waiting for a “convenient season” that never comes. Will you follow them into hell?

Oh, consider what hell truly is! Imagine the horror of waking up there, the agony and despair that will be yours. Think of the torment, the weeping, the gnashing of teeth. There are no words to fully describe it, and yet this is the destiny that awaits those who die unsaved.

A brother’s voice pleads with you—wake up! Be wise, and before this year ends, believe in Jesus, who can save you to the uttermost. Use these last hours for serious reflection, and if true repentance is born in your heart, it will lead you to humble faith in Jesus. But don’t wait until it’s too late. Don’t let the stroke of midnight find you unforgiven. Now is the time—now, before it’s too late! “Flee for your life! Don’t look back, don’t stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”