Psalms 38:17

Psalms 38:17

There are some roads in which we cannot halt, the road, for instance, which leads to death. There are paths in which it is wellto halt: the paths of infidelity and scepticism, unbelief, vain and evil imagination, corrupt and unholy desire, and of outward transgression. But there are paths in which the traveller too often feels ready to halt.

I. Which are these paths? (1) In the path of simple confidence in the redeeming God we are sometimes ready to halt. (2) In the path of implicit and unquestioning obedience we are ready to halt. (3) In the path of the patient endurance of sorrow we are ready to halt. (4) In the path of resisting evil we are ready to halt. (5) In the path of doing good to others we are ready to halt.

II. But why ready to halt? (1) One is ready to halt because he is so weak, (2) another because he is so weary, (3) some because they are disappointed, (4) others because they are ready to despair.

III. What shall those who are ready to halt do? (1) If they will, they may complain. They may complain to God, but not of God. (2) They should consider their ways. (3) They ought to pray. (4) They must not yield to weariness, but battle with it, and go on. Consistency, integrity, wisdom, gratitude, all say, "Go on." And the end saith, "Come on." Christ saith to the pilgrim ready to halt, "Move on. Go on."

S. Martin, Comfort in Trouble,p. 136.

References: Psalms 38:21. Spurgeon, Evening by Evening,p. 165; Ibid., Morning by Morning,p. 146.