SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US

 EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 3

Hebrews 12:1

 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

 
Every Christian hath his easily besetting sins.
 
Often do those prove so to which he has been the slave in his unconverted state. 

But there is one sin to which we are all peculiarly liable; 

it is called, “The sins which doth so easily beset us.”
 
This is distrust of God.
 
The great hindrance in our heavenly race.
 
The weight that obstructs our progress.
 
The disease which weakens our powers.
 
God has revealed his character, he has pledged that character; 

he has raised up a great cloud of witnesses, 

   all of whom attest his faithfulness; 

he has made promise upon promise, and 

   all to encourage our confidence.
 
Still we doubt him.
 
Continually do we mistrust him.
 
Yet nothing injures us more, nothing dishonours him more; 

   therefore the Apostle exhorts us 

“to lay aside the sin which doth so easily beset us.”
 
Leave off distrusting God.
 
Exercise unhesitating confidence in God’s word and faithfulness.
 
In this imitate Abraham among the patriarchs, Moses under the law, and Jesus the great example of faith under the gospel. 

You will never be strong, or patient, or vigorous in the Lord’s ways, except you leave off distrusting God.
 

O Lord, with sorrow I confess,

I have distrusted thee;

Yet, now bestow the needful grace,

That I may faithful be.

 
James Smith