WE should consider it a very high privilege to be truly testifying for Christ down here, where everything is against us and against Him. It is glorifying to our God, that we walk by faith, and endure as seeing Him who is invisible. Those who have slept in Jesus can no longer do so; they have left opportunities of serving Him which yet remain to us; let us not fail, then, to take them as they offer. “The time is short.” Short for suffering, and that is comfort to the wearied; short for serving, and that is a stimulus to the faithful loving heart. That word, “As ye have opportunity,” is very blessed. Are we not conscious of missing many opportunities? I have often thought of the sad and bitter feeling that Peter, James, and John must have had, when they looked back upon the opportunity their gracious Lord afforded them, of watching with Hun, and soothing Him in His hour of deep distress. Could ye not watch with Me one hour?” (Ps. 69:20; 63:4.)
“Sleep on now, and take your rest,” says that meek and lowly One. What a time for a servant to be resting—while the Master was in an agony; but they had missed their opportunity, such an opportunity as was never given before to man, and never can be again. And are we not often like them? Christ is not here personally; but He has yet left us an opportunity of serving Him.
May we His name confess,
Midst suffering, shame, and loss;
Stand forth His faithful witnesses,
And glory in the Cross!