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- Oct 26, 2007
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"Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." John 5:8
Like many others, the impotent man had been waiting for a wonder to bewrought, and a sign to be given. Wearily did he watch the pool, but no angelcame, or came not for him; yet, thinking it to be his only chance, he waitedstill, and knew not that there was One near him whose word could heal him in amoment. Many are in the same plight: they are waiting for some singularemotion, remarkable impression, or celestial vision; they wait in vain andwatch for nought. Even supposing that, in a few cases, remarkable signs areseen, yet these are rare, and no man has a right to look for them in his owncase; no man especially who feels his impotency to avail himself of the movingof the water even if it came. It is a very sad reflection that tens ofthousands are now waiting in the use of means, and ordinances, and vows, andresolutions, and have so waited time out of mind, in vain, utterly in vain. Meanwhilethese poor souls forget the present Saviour, who bids them look unto Him and besaved. He could heal them at once, but they prefer to wait for an angel and awonder. To trust Him is the sure way to every blessing, and He is worthy of themost implicit confidence; but unbelief makes them prefer the cold porches ofBethesda to the warm bosom of His love. O that the Lord may turn His eye uponthe multitudes who are in this case tonight; may He forgive the slights whichthey put upon His divine power, and call them by that sweet constraining voice,to rise from the bed of despair, and in the energy of faith take up their bedand walk. O Lord, hear our prayer for all such at this calm hour of sunset, andere the day breaketh may they look and live.
Courteous reader, is there anything in this portion for you?
Charles Spurgeon
Like many others, the impotent man had been waiting for a wonder to bewrought, and a sign to be given. Wearily did he watch the pool, but no angelcame, or came not for him; yet, thinking it to be his only chance, he waitedstill, and knew not that there was One near him whose word could heal him in amoment. Many are in the same plight: they are waiting for some singularemotion, remarkable impression, or celestial vision; they wait in vain andwatch for nought. Even supposing that, in a few cases, remarkable signs areseen, yet these are rare, and no man has a right to look for them in his owncase; no man especially who feels his impotency to avail himself of the movingof the water even if it came. It is a very sad reflection that tens ofthousands are now waiting in the use of means, and ordinances, and vows, andresolutions, and have so waited time out of mind, in vain, utterly in vain. Meanwhilethese poor souls forget the present Saviour, who bids them look unto Him and besaved. He could heal them at once, but they prefer to wait for an angel and awonder. To trust Him is the sure way to every blessing, and He is worthy of themost implicit confidence; but unbelief makes them prefer the cold porches ofBethesda to the warm bosom of His love. O that the Lord may turn His eye uponthe multitudes who are in this case tonight; may He forgive the slights whichthey put upon His divine power, and call them by that sweet constraining voice,to rise from the bed of despair, and in the energy of faith take up their bedand walk. O Lord, hear our prayer for all such at this calm hour of sunset, andere the day breaketh may they look and live.
Courteous reader, is there anything in this portion for you?
Charles Spurgeon
