Luke 22:46
""Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.""
— Luke 22:46
When is the Christian most liable to sleep? Is it not when his temporal
circumstances are prosperous? Have you not found it so? When you had
daily troubles to take to the throne of grace, were you not more
wakeful than you are now? Easy roads make sleepy travellers. Another
dangerous time is when all goes pleasantly in spiritual matters.
Christian went not to sleep when lions were in the way, or when he was
wading through the river, or when fighting with Apollyon, but when he
had climbed half way up the Hill Difficulty, and came to a delightful
arbour, he sat down, and forthwith fell asleep, to his great sorrow and
loss. The enchanted ground is a place of balmy breezes, laden with
fragrant odours and soft influences, all tending to lull pilgrims to
sleep. Remember Bunyan’s description: ""Then they came to an arbour,
warm, and promising much refreshing to the weary pilgrims; for it was
finely wrought above head, beautified with greens, and furnished with
benches and settles. It had also in it a soft couch, where the weary
might lean."" ""The arbour was called the Slothful’s Friend, and was made
on purpose to allure, if it might be, some of the pilgrims to take up
their rest there when weary."" Depend upon it, it is in easy places that
men shut their eyes and wander into the dreamy land of forgetfulness.
Old Erskine wisely remarked, ""I like a roaring devil better than a
sleeping devil."" There is no temptation half so dangerous as not being
tempted. The distressed soul does not sleep; it is after we enter into
peaceful confidence and full assurance that we are in danger of
slumbering. The disciples fell asleep after they had seen Jesus
transfigured on the mountain top. Take heed, joyous Christian, good
frames are near neighbours to temptations: be as happy as you will,
only be watchful.
On this day...
- Clarity and Distinction In Our View Of Christ - 2012
- Vicar of Christ - 2010
- March 14-2010 - 2010
- Gloria in Excelsis Deo - 2010
- Mind, body, soul and strength - 2010
- Psalm 119:11 - 2010
- God's Greatest Glory - 2010
- Faith in abundance - 2010
- The human construct of religion - 2010
- Choosing to believe at all times in every occasion - 2010
- Bought for a price - 2010
- A Theology on Sin and Cleansing - Timothy C Glover - 2010
- Psalms 22:14 - 2009
- Dignity is like perfume - 2009
- THE TOUGHEST CHOICES A LEADER MUST MAKE - 2008
October 8, 2010