Thoughts on Discipleship by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

THERE IS A LION IN THE STREET

When asked to help a needy family cut firewood, a man said to his solicitor, “I can’t do that. The Russians are coming and they are red, and fire engines are red, and they are coming so there must be a fire somewhere.” His wife later asked why he had given such nonsense as an excuse. The answer was simple: one excuse is as good as another when you don’t want to do something. This is reminiscent of Solomon’s sayings in Proverbs. He writes of fools and sluggards in Chapters 22 and 26. Of special note is this verse: “The slothful man saith, there is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.” 26:13. This is an excuse to not get out of the house and do something. He went on to say, “The slothful hideth his hand in his boom; it grieveth him to bring it again to his mouth.” 26:15.

These things are familiar excuses to modern day pastors. Personally, I have not heard anyone say that they could not come to church because there was a lion in the streets, but the probable reason for that is that they had not read the writings of Solomon. Certainly, there are many modern day excuses just as frivolous.

How easy it is nowadays to turn a deaf ear to the pleas of pastors and others to actively invest the days of life into the service of the Lord. Such are passed off as being of little value, and mostly without any compunction at all. But one may be certain, and herewith reminded that it will not always be this way. Jesus spoke of the kingdom in terms of a wedding feast in Matthew 22:11-13. “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: and he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. The said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Make of this what you will. The day is coming when Christian qualifications that are freely offered here and now will be extremely important, so important that those who have disregarded them flippantly will lament in speechlessness. So, let’s get it right. There is no lion in the street! God’s work is important! Do it while you may! “There is no work nor device . . . in the grave whether thou goest.” Ecc. 9”10:

FOR THOUGHT: The blind of heart and mind believes and lives as though what is now will always be for them personally. Excuses come easily. Do they come that way for you? Do you understand that the thief comes when he is not expected? So also is the second coming of Jesus. Be done with the lion in the street idea, and trust Him as your own!