Could Ye not Watch One Hour?
By M. E. DEVEREUX
THESE words, though addressed to a disciple, might with propriety be addressed to the followers of Christ now. Jesus told his disciples to watch and pray lest they enter into temptation. We have the same inclination to sleep that they had, and if possible a greater necessity to watch. Now, when Satan is more than ever busy setting snares for our unwary feet, ought we not to be continually on the watch? But alas! we have been sleeping, though we knew the last sands of time had nearly run out, believed our Lord was near even at the door, had the last message of mercy to give to the world, and yet we went to sleep. Jesus looks upon us, sees our true condition, wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked, his compassionate heart yearns over us, and he as it were beseeches us to buy of him gold tried in the fire, that we may be rich; and white raiment, that we may be clothed; and to anoint our eyes with eye-salve, that we may see. And furthermore, he even condescends to stand at the door of our hearts knocking for admittance, saying that if we hear his voice, and open the door, he will come in and sup with us. What a gracious promise, the King of glory to sup with us. But lest this should not be sufficient to arouse us, he promises that those that overcome shall sit down on his throne. What greater inducement could he hold out than this? It seems as if this were enough to thrill through and through our lukewarm hearts, and cause us to make the best use of every moment that is left us to prepare for that glorious reward. He cannot give us more—yet our eyes are still heavy with sleep. Why is it? We know that his anger has been kindled against us, for he has threatened to spew us out of his mouth. This is a dangerous and deplorable state to be in. O that we could realize it more. We are being brought into a straight place; for though the Lord is long suffering and of tender mercies, and has thus far exercised patience towards us, not willing that any should perish, yet his Spirit will not always strive. How fearful the alternative, left to the evil devices of our own hearts, and sure destruction. We ought to be very thankful that this is not the case with us now, that we still feel the strivings of the Spirit, for as Paul says, "if in this life only we have hope we are of all men the most miserable." We have felt the chastening hand of the Lord: this is comforting; for by this we know that he still loves us, and desires to save us. He says, "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten." Rev. iii. 23. Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Heb. xii. 6. Let us then, as he has counseled us, be zealous and repent, return unto the Lord with a full purpose of heart and he will return unto us, and heal our backslidings. What a work, what a great work must yet be done for us, ere we shall be ready to meet our coming Lord. It is high time for us to earnestly seek that needed preparation, humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, seek meekness and righteousness that we may be hid in the day of the Lord's fierce anger. Why is it so hard for us to get the door of our hearts open? Have they been so long closed that they have rusted on their hinges? It seems so sometimes. I, at least, must make greater exertions than I have yet done, or I shall not get the door open. We are losing much by keeping it shut, the Saviour stands ready to enter, how can we keep him out? We know not how long he will wait there for us to let him in. Let us make haste to open unto him before he withdraws himself forever, burst open the door if it be possible and receive the dear Saviour to the joy of our hearts. God grant that we may thoroughly awake, lest he come, find us sleeping, and bid us sleep on.
M. E. DEVEREUX.