“Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the Lord and said, ‘You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst?’” (Judges 15:18)

Unlike the “holy books” of other religions, the Bible displays the “heroes of faith” with all their flaws. Lot was made drunk by his daughters, and fathered two nations by them. Abraham told half-lies for fear of his life. David had a man killed because he lusted after the man’s wife. Perhaps the most flawed hero of the Bible was Samson. He had just killed a thousand Philistines and was thirsty, so he complained to God. Did Samson think he deserved better treatment, after doing so much for God, or did he really believe he would die of thirst? 

When saints are used by God, especially when God gives them a miracle, they’re tempted to think God owes them something. Christ dealt with this problem when He warned His disciples this way: “Which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'" (Luke 17:7-10). 

 If you think too highly of yourself, it will be a blessing for God to humble you. Samson boasted, “I have slain a thousand men!" (Judges 15:16), and his throat soon grew hoarse with thirst, so he prayed for water. God has many ways of humbling His people. The Apostle Paul was given a miracle, and so he wouldn’t be “exalted above measure”, God allowed Satan to afflict him. “I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness’. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). 

 The road to Heaven is full of sorrow, but there are wells of refreshing water all along the way. So, dear saint, cheer your heart that servants of God have always been humbled, and rest assured, God will deliver you soon.