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“After he had seen the vision, immediately we
endeavored to go." Acts 16:10
The following is taken from: How to Know God’s
Will by C. W. Naylor (1925)
When Paul, after having been for a time without a
knowledge of the will of God concerning him, was made aware of that
will in a vision, his responsiveness was shown by these words,
"After he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to go"
(Acts 16:10). This disposition should characterize every Christian.
If the heart says, "Thy will be done," there is no occasion for
delaying, but immediate obedience can be rendered. What does delay
indicate? First, it indicates a lack of fervor, a want of zeal. When
love is warm, obedience is ready; so a lack of responsiveness to
God's will shows a lack of love toward him. Secondly, delay shows a
disinclination to do his will. It shows either a desire that his
will were otherwise than it is, or a reluctance to make the effort
necessary to its accomplishment. Thirdly, delay leads to
disobedience. A disagreeable, or difficult duty always becomes more
so by delay. The Psalmist says, "I made haste, and delayed not to
keep thy commandments" (Psalm 119:60). "Delayed duty is present
discomfort." The heart can never be quite at ease with a sense of
duty undone. The longer it is delayed, the harder it becomes to do
that duty. Immediate obedience is the only satisfactory obedience,
the only easy obedience, and the only kind that opens the gates of
blessing to the soul.
Delayed duty means loss of opportunity. When the
business man sees an opportunity, he is quick to grasp it. How many
times the Christian sees opportunity and delays taking advantage of
it, only to see the opportunity pass unused, perhaps to regret it
for years! Immediate obedience, therefore, is the only safe way.
Failure to obey means an hour of duty left empty, and that hour of
duty once left empty can never be filled. If that neglected duty
ever is done it fills another hour that might have held another
service, and so an hour of service is lost and lost forever. And
shall not those empty hours mock us? Shall not the slighted
opportunities rise up to condemn us? Therefore, let us fill each
hour with its duty, with its loving service, and thus we shall have
no regrets.
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