Daily Devotionals

Devotional: September 1st

" Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry." - Hebrews 10:37.

Among many that profess to be the people of God, we find one (scarcely one in a thousand) whose manner of life seems to express his conviction that the time is short, very short. He is like one who waking from slumber finds that his barque has drifted within the influence of currents that are hurrying her fast towards the rapids, fast to destruction, and perceives in a glance that whatever is to be done is to be done at once, and done with all might. The accumulated business of life, so long lost sight of, is to be dispatched with all possible expedition. The talents so long buried are to be dug up and got into circulation at once, that there may be a respectable return to exhibit when the Master comes, - who knows how soon? Energy, circumspection, perseverance, in fine the consecration of all the powers, must compensate so far as may be for the immense treasures of time that have been squandered. " He Cometh, he cometh,’ is the motto of such a one. Other men, other Christians even, look on with astonishment, and fancy that the man must be beside himself to labor so vehemently. They bid him check his great zeal and mingle moderation with his earnestness. But he replies, " One thing I do. The past time of my life must suffice for apathy and self-indulgence. The Master whose service I have too long neglected, cometh quickly. He hath ordained me that I should bring forth fruit, and I must make the most of the brief season that remains."

A little while! A great work! The views of many Christians are very defective with respect to both of these facts. " Our Lord delayeth his coming," seems to be the impression on their minds. Their energies, their earnestness, their self denial, their consecration, are exhibited in efforts that have no reference to the deliverance of their souls from baneful influences. The work of religion is one which is easily disposed of, they imagine, in an occasional hour, in the leisure moments which the greater business of life is generous enough to grant. Is there not coming an hour when the sign of the Son of Man having appeared in heaven, all mankind will become aware that the sun of their probation is just about to sink for ever, the Sun of Righteousness just about to rise in glory unconceived; and when the possessors of the Gospel who have left undone their Master’s bidding, will be filled with terror and confusion at the thought of the immense work committed to them, and to which they had hardly put their finger; while they that knew he would not tarry, shall lift up their head, knowing that their redemption draweth nigh. Which of us shall be able to stand?

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