“I sleep, but my heart is awake” (Song of Solomon 5:2)

Paradoxes abound in Christian experience, and this is one - the spouse was asleep, and at the same time, she was awake. This can be understood if you’ve had the same experience. The two points in this evening’s text are a mournful sleepiness and a hopeful wakefulness. I sleep. Because of the sin that so easily besets us, we can become lax in holy duties, slothful in religious exercises, dull in spiritual joys, and altogether lethargic and careless. This is a shameful state for saints who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit; and it’s dangerous to the highest degree.

Even wise virgins sometimes slumber, but it’s high time for us to shake off the bands of sloth. Likes Samson, we can be deprived of strength by sleeping in the lap of carnal security. Trusting that you can’t lose your salvation should never be the reason for abandoning your duty as a soldier of Christ. “By this we know that we are in Him.  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked” (1 John 2:5–6).

With a perishing world around us, to sleep is cruel; with eternity so near at hand, it’s madness. Unfortunately, none of us are as awake as we should be; a few thunder-claps would do us all good, and it may be, unless we soon shake ourselves out of our complacency, our nation will soon suffer the judgement of God. We may be in the final days of opportunity to make a difference for Christ. The door of grace to work for the Kingdom of God may soon close.

Awaken your heart. Christ hears our hearts, will help our hearts, and bring revival if His people call out to Him. Exercise holy zeal that can open the door of grace while there’s still time.

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