Jeremiah 6:4 Prepare you war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day goes away… The opportunity for success was lost; the day of action had been misspent, and the result was, captivity and slavery. The day of action was going away; the shadows of the evening which was to cover them with its darkness and sorrow, were already stretched out. Just so it is with multitudes now in reference to the work of their salvation. The Gospel of the Son of God has been preached in their ears, until it has become stale and powerless. They listen to it, but take no heed to its requirements. 1. Look at the opportunities which the Church affords to all attendants on her service, not only of learning their duty, but also of practising it to the glory of God. 2. Then, again, look at the opportunities for repentance and faith which God has given you in the daily providence of life. You have been rich, perhaps, and He has made you poor — Why? That He may give you spiritual riches, which moth and rust can not corrupt. You have been poor and He has made you rich — Why? That you might "remember the Lord thy God, for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth." You have been well, and He has laid you on a bed of sickness — Why? That you might consider your latter end. You have been sick and He has made you well — Why? That you should love your Divine Healer, and seek for your spiritual healing. Your life is full of the echoes of God's voice speaking to you in His daily providence, as well as in the inspired Word and through the ministry of His Church. Yet hour after hour has glided away, and you have hesitated, procrastinated, put off to a more convenient season. Shall life's sun go wholly down, shall the night of death wrap you in its starless mantle, without one honest effort on your part to secure your soul's salvation? (Bp. Stevens). Parallel Verses KJV: Prepare ye war against her; arise, and let us go up at noon. Woe unto us! for the day goeth away, for the shadows of the evening are stretched out. |
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