You would look as though you had seen a ghost! We have portraits of
ourselves years ago, and we look at them and wonder at the change. Could
you have a portrait of what you were, spiritually, ten years since, it
would spoil your enjoyment. Beware, then, of eating and drinking when
others are at prayer. It is better to be good than to be happy. Do
right, though it may mean tears, for the smiles of selfishness are sores
in the future.
Look at the other man now. He climbs the hill. There is nothing to be
won from heaven by laziness. Climb to thy crown! Never mind the
steepness and ruggedness of the way. God's kings toil and sweat before
their coronation. How Elijah would laugh in his heart as he thought of
the boon he was about to bring down on his country!