9 Sermon Illustrations on Spiritual Vigilance

" The moon is never eclipsed but when it is at the full. Certainly God's people are then in most danger." When all goes well with them in house and field, in basket and in store, then should they look lest they be full and forget the Lord, and so become eclipsed. For the world to come between us and our Lord is very easy but very terrible. When all is apparently

prosperous as to soul matters, and neither doubt, nor fear, nor temptation comes in, then also should the heart look well to its bearings lest at this very moment some evil should interpose between God and the soul, and darkness should be the fearful result. Remember this, dear reader: eclipses happen at the full moon. Look to thyself, then, in thy moments of greatest happiness and peace, for then is the time of peril. Whene'er becalmed I lie, And storms forbear to toss; Be thou, dear Lord, still nigh, Lest I should suffer loss. Far more the treacherous calm I dread, Than tempests thundering overhead.

The bosom sin in grace exactly resembles a strong current in Nature, which is setting full upon dangerous shoals and quicksands. If, in your spiritual computation, you do not calculate upon your besetting sin, upon its force, its ceaseless operation, and its artfulness, it will sweep you on noiselessly, and with every appearance of calm, but surely and effectually, to your ruin. So may we see a gallant ship leave the dock, fairly and bravely rigged, and with all her pennons flying. And the high sea, when she has elest her way into it, is unwrinkled as the brow of childhood, and seems to laugh with many a twinkling smile; and, when night falls, the moonbeam dances upon the wave, and the brightness of the day has left a delicious balmiuses behind it in the air. The ship is anchored negligently and feebly, and all is then still, save the gentle drowsy gurgling, which tells that water is the element in which she floats. But, in the dead of the night, the anchor loses its hold; and then the current, deep and powerful, bears her noiselessly whither it will: and in the morning the wall of desperation rises from her decks; for she has fallen on the shoal. And the disconsolateness of the dreary twilight, as the breeze springs with the daybreak, and with rude impact dashes her planks angrily against the rock, contrasts strangely with the comfort and peacefulness of the past evening.

— Dr. Goulburn

As the sentinel on duty watches for the coming foe; as the sailor on deck watches for the coming danger from storm or breakers; as the watchman watches for the thief who seeks to plunder; as Satan watches for opportunities to sow tares, and ruin souls; as the worldling watches for "chances" to make a bargain; as the pleasure-taker watches for seasons, times, and companies for personal enjoyment; as the lover of knowledge watches all openings for the increasing of his knowledge: so should the Christian watch for the approach of his enemies, and be prepared for conflict and victory. He should watch for the dangers which beset his passage to the haven of rest, and, by the wisdom which cometh from above, avoid them: he should watch for all occasions of usefulness in all ways in his power; for all opportunities of laying up treasure in heaven; for all means of promoting his purity and happiness; for all sources whence may flow an increase in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. "What I say unto one, I say unto all, Watch." "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." Bate.

Gotthold said, "Whatever else you may do, I beseech you see that you keep with care the precious jewel of your immortal soul. In these days of ours, means have been devised for searching and recovering lost things out of navigable rivers and even the tempestuous sea; but who knows how to rescue a lost soul from the abyss of hell?"—"Alas!" exclaimed one of the company, "this jewel is far from safe when intrusted to such care as ours; and He who is the Keeper of Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps, must undertake the larger share of the task." To which Gotthold replied, "How true that is!"

How precious a thing is youthful energy if only it could be preserved, entirely englobed as it were, within the bosom of the young adventurer, till he can come and offer it forth a sacred emanation in yonder temple of truth and virtue! But, alas! all along as he goes towards it, he advances through an avenue formed by a long line of tempters and demons on each side, all prompt to touch him with their conductors, and draw this divine electric element, with which he is charged, away. J. Foster.