“And it came to pass in an evening-tide, that David arose from off his bed,
and walked upon the roof of the king’s house.” — 2 Samuel 11:2
At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of
temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with
allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the shades of
evening find us still in jeopardy. They are well kept whom God keeps, but
woe unto those who go forth into the world, or even dare to walk their
own house unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are more exposed
to danger than any others. The armour-bearer of Sin is Self-confidence.
David should have been engaged in fighting the Lord’s battles, instead of
which he tarried at Jerusalem, and gave himself up to luxurious repose, for
he arose from his bed at eventide. Idleness and luxury are the devil’s
jackals, and find him abundant prey. In stagnant waters noxious creatures
swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a dense tangle of weeds and briars.
Oh for the constraining love of Jesus to keep us active and useful! When I
see the King of Israel sluggishly leaving his couch at the close of the day,
and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning, and set holy
watchfulness to guard the door.
Is it possible that the king had mounted his housetop for retirement and
devotion? If so, what a caution is given us to count no place, however
secret, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and
sparks so plentiful, we had need use all diligence in all places to prevent a
blaze. Satan can climb housetops, and enter closets, and even if we could
shut out that foul fiend, our own corruptions are enough to work our ruin
unless grace prevent. Reader, beware of evening temptations. Be not
secure. The sun is down but sin is up. We need a watchman for the night
as well as a guardian for the day. O blessed Spirit, keep us from all evil this
night. Amen.
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