WATCHFULNESS by A. S. Hutchins

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Aug 30, 1877

WATCHFULNESS

By A. S. Hutchins

The duty of watchfulness is plainly enjoined upon the followers of Christ, and more repeatedly as the end of all things draws nigh. But we are in danger of failing here, it may be, more than in any other duty. We read the account of the terrible agony of the Son of God in the garden on the night of his betrayal and apprehension. To three chosen witnesses his language

was: “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with me.”

In the agony of his soul, Jesus falls upon his face, and prays to the Father as never man prayed. Angels witness his untold anguish. They behold the heavy load he bears. They behold his tears, “and his sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Oh! why could not these disciples watch? Why found sleeping once? why twice? why the third time? We ask, Why?

We have not been favored with seeing Jesus, and hearing his gracious words, and being with him, as were his disciples and apostles. But divine revelation sets before us his life of humiliation and suffering; his ignominious death upon the cross; his burial, resurrection, and ascension to glory; and heralds the joyful tidings that he will come to earth again. And, dear reader, he bids you and me, watch.

We have an example of watchfulness in the case of Elisha, as Elijah was about to be taken from him. The last interview that he could here enjoy with this man of God had come. Thrice Elijah bade him “tarry” while he should pass on. The emphatic language of his whole being was: “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” Together they journey, till they stand upon the banks of the rolling Jordan. Its waters are divided, and they pass over on dry ground.

The moment of separation hastens on. A blessing of no small magnitude awaits Elisha if he complies with the conditions, as Elijah is upward borne to the celestial regions of paradise. A double portion of his spirit is to fall upon Elisha, clothing him with power and authority. He separates not from his master, he sleeps not. Behold him steadfastly watching till the chariot of fire and horses of fire part them. Elijah ascends to the courts of glory. As was Enoch, he is brought to the heavenly rest without passing through the domain of the grave. Elisha remains to be fitted for the same glorious state through the school of affliction and trial, and cheerful obedience to the Lord.

The desired blessing falls upon him, and is apparent to those who behold him. Quickly the testimony is borne: “The spirit of Elijah doth rest upon Elisha.” This blessing would have been lost by inattention, as many are at present, and ever have been. We are weak when we might be strong. We might enjoy many seasons of sweet communion with God, seasons of spiritual refreshing, seasons in which our views of heavenly things would be expanded, and new light break into the soul, filling it with joy and gladness.

Dear reader, are you sleeping, or watching? Says the apostle, “Let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” There are thousands of avenues through which the enemy may allure us into sin. We reason ourselves into unbelief, into pride, and into disobedience, and often find ourselves in the meshes of Satan’s net ere we are aware of it.

Some little trial or misunderstanding may arise between brethren; quickly Satan arouses us now to take the defensive ground. The trial assumes gigantic proportions, growing perhaps continually. We really feel wounded. We have been abused. But how differently all this matter would have appeared had our hearts been filled with Christian love and sympathy. A little explanation given, a little yielding on our part, a drawing near to God and one another, and we find relief. How much better to have watched and kept the temptation from the heart, and how much better for the cause of truth if each one were always careful not to lay a stumbling-block in the way of any. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” “Blessed is he that watcheth.”

“The Saviour bids us watch and pray, For lo! the Judge is near; Oh! may we joyfully obey, And watch till he appear.”

A. S. HUTCHINS.