1 Samuel 14:4 And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over to the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side… There are critical periods in the life of man, where decision is of the utmost importance. Life and honour, or disgrace and death, are dependent on the course to be taken at such periods. If difficulties multiply, the greater decision is required. This was precisely the case with Jonathan. The approach to the garrison would have been pronounced impassable by a less decisive and less courageous mind. But nothing is too hard to accomplish, with the help of God on your side and a decided perseverance. I. The difficult extremes of the present crisis are A SCEPTICAL SPIRIT ON ONE HAND AND A SUPERSTITIOUS SPIRIT ON THE OTHER. Infidelity and superstition are like two rocks. 1. The mind commencing an independent train of thinking, and directing its thoughts to the inquiry, "What is truth?" is met by the avowed infidel, who begins by a subtle augmentation to burden and perplex the soul. 2. On the other hand, superstition claims from the inquirer after truth implicit confidence in its priests and reliance on its ceremonies. II. The second class of difficult extremes may be seen in THE URGENT CLAIMS ON BUSINESS AND THE TEMPTATIONS OF LEISURE. 1. The competition in business. The large portion of time and mental energy consumed in providing for "the bread that perisheth," leaves but fragments of time and mental power for the interests of the immortal soul — the less has the first claim, the greater has the second. But when the first has been answered there is little but exhaustion left. 2. The temptations of leisure are usually in the same proportion as the demands of business are exhausting. Mind and body endeavour to recruit expended energy. Then the allurement to pleasure becomes powerful. III. The third class of difficult extremes may be seen in THE DANGER OF PRESUMPTION ON THE ONE HAND AND THE EQUAL DANGER OF DESPONDENCY ON THE OTHER. 1. Presumption sometimes so infatuates the mind as to subdue it with an entire indifference to the realities of eternity. 2. Despondency. The remedy must be prompt and decided faith. An acquaintance with the Word of God. Courageous decision in complying with its requirements. There are no rocks before the cross, though there may be one on either side. (Preacher's Assistant.) Parallel Verses KJV: And between the passages, by which Jonathan sought to go over unto the Philistines' garrison, there was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other side: and the name of the one was Bozez, and the name of the other Seneh. |
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