Evening
Time: 7:05 PM PST
"And it came to pass in an evening-tide, 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.