Rise, let us be going.

— Matthew 26:46

The disciples went to sleep when they should have kept awake, and
when they realized what they had done it produced despair. The sense
of the irreparable is apt to make us despair, and we say – “It is all
up now, it is no use trying any more.” If we imagine that this kind
of despair is exceptional, we are mistaken, it is a very ordinary
human experience. Whenever we realize that we have not done that
which we had a magnificent opportunity of doing, then we are apt to
sink into despair; and Jesus Christ comes and says – “Sleep on now,
that opportunity is lost for ever, you cannot alter it, but arise and
go to the next thing.” Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the
bosom of Christ, and go out into the irresistible future with Him.

There are experiences like this in each of our lives. We are in
despair, the despair that comes from actualities, and we cannot lift
ourselves out of it. The disciples in this instance had done a
downright unforgivable thing; they had gone to sleep instead of
watching with Jesus, but He came with a spiritual initiative against
their despair and said – “Arise and do the next thing.” If we are
inspired of God, what is the next thing? To trust Him absolutely and
to pray on the ground of His Redemption.

Never let the sense of failure corrupt your new action.

On this day...

• Exodus 25 - 2024
• Exodus 24 - 2024
• April 19, 2014 - 2014
• Genesis 25:11 - 2009
• Mark 15:23 - 2008
• compeers - 2007
• Revelation 5:12 - 2007
• Mark 8:36-37 - 2007
• Ephesians 1:5-6 - 2007
• JEREMIAH 17:7 - 2007