William Andrew Dillard
Wait, wait! How can it be? January is come to a close, already?! But what about the objectives that were identified to be accomplished in 2020? Are they forgotten already? With the passing of January is it “Ho hum, business as usual?” Well, DON’T STOP NOW!
If you are reading this, it is still your day, your time to think, to say, to do, and that my friend is definitely coming quickly to an eternal close. Is it any wonder then that the wisest man said, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest.” Ecc. 9:10. So, what is holding you back from pursuing and accomplishing your noble objectives?
Some wallow in the rut of persistent failure. They have tried and failed before, so they think failure will doubtless be the result of any future effort. They think setting objectives is good, but accomplishing them is really beyond realistic expectations.
Someone once opined that a rut is nothing more than a grave with both ends kicked out. Surely, this is an interesting enough thought to challenge us to get out of it. It is true that history is literally strewn with human failure, even among what would be considered the best of men. This is true because all are sinners. Everyone must continue to deal with the conflicts of sin until death, or the rapture. However, history also glows with the monumental successes of both small, and great men who dared to trust God, accept his forgiveness, and then keep on keeping on toward the noble goals of life.
So, the bottom line is: do you really love and trust God in all matters? If so, then leave your burdens with Him and press onward toward the noble goals you would accomplish in life “if”. Forget the “if”! Don’t let another day pass without initiating some action to accomplish your appropriate goals for 2020. We do not know what the year holds. It may be your last one. If so, go down striving toward the goal. If not, don’t let 2021 find you still treading time in the rut of wishes. Even our Lord Jesus said, “I must do the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” John 9:4. Remember what Solomon said: “Whatever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…” Don’t stop now! Do it!
JUST A LITTLE MORE SLEEP
HEBREW HONEYCOMB
William Andrew Dillard
JUST A LITTLE MORE SLEEP
Sleep was created for earthly life as the means of necessary refreshment to the body. Blessed are those who are able to sleep six to eight hours each night, but cursed are those whose goal is to sleep life away during both day and night. Doubtless the sleep of a laboring man is sweet as said the wise man, Solomon, but those who sleep in the affairs of life can expect poverty and loss. Let’s think about it!
Just what is this sleep in the affairs of life? It may be identified as one’s personal comfort zone. It is the nature of the flesh to create a comfort zone, and to disdain any call to consider things that might endanger that insulation to it. That is sleep. Through such sleep, fortunes have been lost, businesses bankrupted, and lives shipwrecked. The Bible underscores this important principle. Consider that it was while they slept that the Midianites were suddenly put to flight by the small band of Gideon. It was while men slept that the Medes and Persians brought an end to Babylon, the first great, world empire. It was while men slept that an enemy sowed tares among the wheat in the parable of Jesus. Moreover, it will be while men sleep that the bridegroom (Jesus) comes and many will not be ready to meet Him.
Solomon said, “How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Prov. 6:9. He went on to say, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” 20:13. Modern times have underscored just how easy it is for individuals and churches to sleep when they should be swimming upstream in holy proclamations of salvation and the soon-coming King of Kings! One might name many reasons why this condition exists, but none of them are acceptable excuses for it.
So, what will we find in the New Testament regarding this specific subject? A quick survey shows much. Let us hear Paul as he admonished the Romans, “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.” Rom. 13:11. Similarly, he taught the Thessalonians, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” I Thess. 5:6. God’s people are not children of the night, but children of the day. They are to be awake, alert, watchful, and understanding of what and why things are happening. In so doing, the example of our Lord will be followed. One may be sure that He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121.
Are you a “Ho-hum, you’re okay, I’m okay,” kind of person, or are you awake, discerning the signs of the time in accordance with the Word, and listening for the shout?
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