Evening, January 17
Go To Morning Reading
“And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his
bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house.”
2 Samuel 11:2
At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of
temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements
to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of evening find
us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe unto
those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their own
house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more exposed
to danger than any others. The armour-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence.
David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord’s battles, instead of which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself
up to luxurious repose, for he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness
and luxury are the devil’s jackals, and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious
creatures swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle of
weeds and briars. Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us
active and useful! When I see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving
his couch at the close of the day, and falling at once into temptation,
let me take warning, and set holy watchfulness to guard the door.
Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement
and devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place,
however secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like
a tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful, we had need use all diligence
in all places to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter
closets, and even if we could shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions
are enough to work our ruin unless grace prevent. Reader, beware of
evening temptations. Be not secure. The sun is down but sin is up.
We need a watchman for the night as well as a guardian for the day.
O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this night. Amen.