Ecclesiastes 11:6

“In the evening withhold not thy hand.” 
              — Ecclesiastes 11:6

In the evening of the day opportunities are plentiful: men return from
their labour, and the zealous soul-winner finds time to tell abroad the
love of Jesus. Have I no evening work for Jesus? If I have not, let me
no longer withhold my hand from a service which requires abundant
labour. Sinners are perishing for lack of knowledge; he who loiters may
find his skirts crimson with the blood of souls. Jesus gave both his
hands to the nails, how can I keep back one of mine from his blessed
work? Night and day he toiled and prayed for me, how can I give a
single hour to the pampering of my flesh with luxurious ease? Up, idle
heart; stretch out thy hand to work, or uplift it to pray; heaven and
hell are in earnest, let me be so, and this evening sow good seed for
the Lord my God.

The evening of life has also its calls. Life is so short that a morning
of manhood’s vigour, and an evening of decay, make the whole of it. To
some it seems long, but a four-pence is a great sum of money to a poor
man. Life is so brief that no man can afford to lose a day. It has been
well said that if a great king should bring us a great heap of gold,
and bid us take as much as we could count in a day, we should make a
long day of it; we should begin early in the morning, and in the
evening we should not withhold our hand; but to win souls is far nobler
work, how is it that we so soon withdraw from it? Some are spared to a
long evening of green old age; if such be my case, let me use such
talents as I still retain, and to the last hour serve my blessed and
faithful Lord. By his grace I will die in harness, and lay down my
charge only when I lay down my body. Age may instruct the young, cheer
the faint, and encourage the desponding; if eventide has less of
vigorous heat, it should have more of calm wisdom, therefore in the
evening I will not withhold my hand.

On this day…

• Psalm 99 – 2024
• Introduction to Philippians – 2024
• 2 Samuel 4 – 2023
• 2 Samuel 3 – 2023
• Ecclesiology can and must be measured – 2011
• Open your hands to God – 2011
• It doesn’t take long before everyone knows – 2011
• Stir Your Mind – 2011
• 1 Peter 5 – 2011
• What Is the Recession For? Some of God’s Purposes – 2009