BE YE THEREFORE SOBER AND WATCH UNTO PRAYER

"Jesus said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation." —Luke 22:46 [KJV]

The dull, sleepy frames of disciples, though natural to them, are by no means commendable in them, nor are they to find excuses for them, as though this was a sleepy state of the churches, and so we were to lie down and take our rest. This is injurious to the honor of our dear Master, brings discredit upon His cause and interest, is very uncomfortable, and exposes sleeping souls to many and great dangers: though love may excuse it, yet will Jesus sharply reprove for it. 

Why sleep ye? wherefore do you indulge yourselves with sloth when you are called to activity? sleep is unreasonable when danger is near. Ye know, my beloved disciples, your adversary Satan is ever wakeful, watchful, busy in plotting and seeking to rob you of your shield of faith. Is this a time to be sluggish? to fold your hands and cry, a little more carnal ease and worldly pleasures, a little more spiritual slumber? Most inexcusable to be taking sleepy opiates of pleasure to indulge the flesh, and intoxicating draughts from the world to drown the Spirit. What meanest thou, O sleeper? "arise and call upon thy God." Say not "I am in an unsuitable frame, dull, and heavy." 

Thou readest of no such reply from these drowsy disciples to their Master. Wilt thou stay till thou art rich before thou wilt be industrious? He who calls to duty is both able and willing to give strength in duty, and power to perform it. Take with you words and say, Jesus will give the Spirit to pray. Ever remember, prayers move God, not as an orator moves his hearers, but as the cry of a beloved child moves an affectionate father; when we are out of the reach of danger, prayer will be needless. But when will that be? not in this life; not till every enemy is destroyed; that will not be till death is swallowed up in life. 

Now there is danger from temptation. Temptation cannot hurt us, but entering into the temptation will. Jesus was in all things tempted like as we are, yet without sin; His temptations were all without Him; they could not enter in to defile Him; but they may us: when the love of the world enters and prevails, the sense of the love of God is lost: when the lusts of the flesh get power, the consolations of the Spirit are not enjoyed; when ease and happiness are expected from any other object but Jesus, the precious Saviour is slighted and disesteemed: then our views of His love are eclipsed, and our souls miserably darkened. "The end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer."—1 Peter 4:7.

How precious is our Saviour's love! 

How tender His complaint! 

He hates the sloth we're subject to, 

But yet He loves the saint.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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