January 17, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house." — 2 Samuel 11:2 · KJV

At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad we meet allurements to evil; the morning opens with peril, and the evening shadows still find us in danger. They are well kept whom God keeps, but woe to those who go out into the world — or even walk about their own house — unarmed. Those who think themselves secure are the most exposed of all. Self-confidence is the armor-bearer of Sin. David should have been fighting the Lord's battles, but instead he lingered at Jerusalem and gave himself to luxurious ease, rising from his bed only at evening. Idleness and luxury are the devil's jackals, and they bring him plenty of prey. In stagnant water foul creatures swarm, and neglected soil soon yields a 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 day and falling at once into temptation, let me take warning and set holy watchfulness to guard the door. Could the king have climbed to his housetop for quiet and devotion? If so, what a caution — to count no place, however private, a sanctuary from sin! While our hearts are so like a tinder-box, and sparks so plentiful, we need all diligence everywhere to prevent a blaze. Satan can climb housetops and enter private rooms; and even if we could shut out that enemy, our own corruptions are enough to ruin us unless grace prevents it. Reader, beware of evening temptations. Do not be 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.