"LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE BEFORE US." But we cannot run if weighed down by sin. Christian, beware the easily besetting sin. Often do sins prove troublesome to which he had been a slave in his unconverted state. But there is one sin to which we all are still peculiarly liable; it is called, "The sin which doth so easily beset us." This is distrust of God, the great hindrance in our heavenly race, the weight that obstructs our progress, and the disease which weakens our spiritual powers. God has revealed His power and pledged it to us. He has raised up a great cloud of witnesses, all of whom attest His faithfulness; He has made promise upon promise, all to encourage our confidence. Still we doubt Him. Continually do we mistrust Him. Nothing injures us more or 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 His word and faithfulness. Learn from Abraham among the patriarchs, Moses under the law, and Jesus the great example of faith under the gospel. You never will be strong, or patient, or vigorous in the Lord's ways, except you leave off distrusting God: this is the sin which doth so easily beset us.

For Meditation:
O Lord, with sorrow I confess
I have distrusted Thee;
Yet now bestow the needful grace
That I may faithful be.