Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

October 23– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Why do you sleep? Rise and pray, so you won’t enter into temptation.”

—Luke 22:46

When is the Christian most liable to fall asleep on his spiritual journey? Is it not when his temporal circumstances are prosperous and everything is going well? Haven’t you found this to be so? When you had daily troubles to take to the throne of grace, weren’t you more awake than you are now? Smooth roads have a way of making sleepy travelers.

Another dangerous time is when everything is going pleasantly in spiritual matters. In John Bunyan’s book, The Pilgrims Progress, the main character, Christian, didn’t fall asleep when lions were in his pathway, or when he was wading through the river, or when he was fighting with Apollyon. But when he climbed halfway up the Hill of Difficulty and came to a delightful resting place, he sat down and immediately fell asleep to his great sorrow and loss. The enchanted ground is a place of balmy breezes, fragrant aromas, and soft influences— things which tend to lull pilgrims to sleep.

Remember Bunyan’s description: Then Pilgrim came to a restful retreat, warm, and promising much refreshment to the weary pilgrims; it was beautifully groomed with greens and furnished with benches and chairs. It also had a soft couch upon which to rest. The place was called “Slothful’s Friend” and was made on purpose to allure some of the pilgrims to take up their rest when weary.”

O, Dear Believer, it is in the easy places that men shut their eyes and wander into the dreamy land of forgetfulness. Erskine once said, “I like a roaring devil better than a sleeping devil.” There is no temptation half so dangerous as not being tempted. The distressed soul does not sleep; it is after we enter into peaceful confidence and full assurance that we are in danger of falling asleep. The disciples fell asleep after they had seen Jesus transfigured on the mountain top. Take heed, joyous Christian; be as happy as you can be, but be watchful. [M&E]