24. A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
Another forcible figure of the palsy of sloth!† It so grows on its victim, that he has no heart to do even necessary things for himself; as if he could not take his hand out of his bosom; and would rather suffer the cravings of hunger, than make the exertion of putting his food into his mouth. A melancholy picture it is of many fair intentions and promises, and apparently good beginnings in religion — all stopped for want of the effort to overcome the least hindrance. Every religious duty is a burden. The struggle necessary for prayer — the only means of receiving our spiritual food — is too hard. The soul, that seemed to have been awakened, sinks into its former lethargy; and the effort to rouse it becomes each time fainter and more hopeless. The hand cannot be stretched out, though it were to lay hold on a crown.
Some, indeed seem to feel little or no exertion to be necessary; a plain proof, that they have never been really in earnest about this momentous concern. The conflict is not imaginary. “Woe unto those, who,” reposing on the lap of indulgence, “are at ease in Zion.” (Amos 6:1.) A religion without sacrifice, without diligence, will never open a way to heaven. It is treasuring up unavailing repentance against the latter days. If the work of the day, much more the work of eternity, calls for all diligence. If the Emperor Titus could mourn that he ‘had lost a day,’ what will be the stinging remorse of having lost a life! To think that by a right beginning, followed up by “a patient continuance in well-doing” (Romans 2:7), we might have effectively “served the will of God in our generation” (Acts 13:36), so as to have been missed in the world after we had “fallen asleep;” to think that we might have sown seed for eternity, so that our “memory,” instead of “rotting,” would “have been blessed” (Chapter 10:7); that all this was wished, contemplated, nay — even resolved; yet not an atom of it accomplished: will not this be a thorn for a dying pillow, perhaps the tormenting worm for eternity?
The mere waste of time is far from being the worst part of the evil. It is fatal alike to our well-being, and our well-doing, to condemn our energies to rust out in inactivity. Thomson's excuse for reposing in his ‘Castle of Indolence’ was that he had nothing to do. And doubtless the want of an object is sufficient to make an idler of a man of talent. But can this ever be the condition of any one — even the least occupied, or the least influential among us? Are any of us freed from the responsibility of diligence, if not for ourselves, at least in the service of our fellow-creatures. Much less can the Christian plead as an excuse for “standing idle,” that “no man hath hired him.” (Matthew 20:6, 7.) Is not the great object always in sight, always worthy of all the concentration of mind, talent, and energy — “To me to live is Christ”? (Philippians 1:21.)
The special time for the resistance of this deadly disease is when we are most under its power. When the Bible is uninteresting as a common book, then is the time to live in it with patient diligence. When prayer is cold and heartless, instead of giving up, hold on, however feebly, yet with perseverance. When in a state of listless exertion, be employed for God and for his Church. Form habits of early energy. Beware of a dreaming sentimentalism. Cultivate bodily activity. Regard the incursions of sloth as the effects of those poisons, which, while they cause sleep, unless counteracted by constant resistance, must prove fatal. Yet with all these means, never forget the one only principle, that makes them effectual — prayer, unceasing, believing, “looking unto Jesus,” who not only gives life, but liveliness. (Hebrews 12:1, 2. John 10:10.)
Christian! He who hath awakened you from the sleep of death will keep you awake till the Lord come. Still even with you much drowsiness remains, trifling away time in a tame, barren profession, such as your Lord will not tolerate. He will make you feel that life is a solemn reality, that prayer is not a half-hearted work, but a close dealing with the living God, a warm pulse of the hidden life, a continued conflict with mighty enemies.
Are you then struggling in this conflict? Look for repose only in the arms of victory. While the conflict lasts, there is no time for loitering or for slumber. Yet forget not to thank God for every victory, yea, for the continued strength, enabling you to persevere in the fight; for the wise dispensation also, that appoints this holy conflict, as the means of invigorating our faith, our hope, our meetness for the crown, and our joyful expectation of it. If peace with God is our life, “the joy of the LORD is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10), our health, our happiness, yet not to be found in a listless, enervated habit.
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