UNWISE CAUTION by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 14, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 40.

UNWISE CAUTION.

By Ellet Joseph Waggoner

THERE is such a thing as being too cautious. This is the case when men hesitate to act upon the word of the Lord. How often it happens that people will acknowledge the clearness of the word of God, and still will hesitate to let themselves rest upon it. “I know that the Bible says so, but I believe in being cautious. I do not believe in moving too hastily.” Such caution is sin. It is simply unbelief. How differently Mary did when the angel announced to her the birth of a son! “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it

unto me according to thy word.” And the Holy Ghost, by the mouth of Elizabeth, pronounced a blessing upon her for her ready belief. See Luke 1:45. Note also the ready belief of the shepherds when the birth of Jesus was announced to them. As soon as the angels departed, they said one to another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.” Luke 2:15. The people who are too wise to take things hastily would have said, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see if this thing is so.” But those shepherds were just simple enough to believe the word of the Lord without any questioning. That is the kind of faith with which the Lord is pleased.—E. J. Waggoner.