Many years ago in northern Illinois, we had a gospel meeting that featured two brethren from somewhere in Texas, preaching on alternate evenings. Their names were John Sherro and Bill Wiley. I was anxious to hear the sermon that Bill Wiley announced he would be preaching the next evening of the meeting. He titled it "One More Night With the Frogs." It was, of course, taken from the story of Moses and Aaron when they went into Egypt to deliver, by the power of God, the Israelites out of Egyption bondage. I really got a lot from his sermon. The following outline was taken from an article by Terry Frizzel and given the Ken Thomas touch. Hopefully, you will benefit from this article, as I did from that sermon in the distant past.

In Exodus, where this event is recorded, over and over again, the ten plagues God sent against Egypt bore witness to His power. The plagues were designed to display the one true God's power over Egypt's many false gods, and to entice man to submit to His power. Today, we are blessed to have all of this recorded so that we also can realize the power of Almighty God, and as a result, be drawn to Him. In Romans 15:4, Paul wrote that the things which were written afore time were written for our learning, and that they are examples to teach us to profit from the mistakes of others (1 Corinthians 10:11).

To one of these plagues, Pharaoh had an interesting response, which reveals a lot about how "bad soil" reacts to God's power. When God sent the frogs upon Egypt, and Pharaoh was desperate to rid his land of this great plague, he called Moses and said he would let the children of Israel go, if the frogs would also leave (Exodus 8:8). Pharaoh begged Moses to entreat the Lord to remove the frogs. Moses asked Pharaoh "when shall I entreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only?" (Exodus 8:9) We read Pharaoh's interesting response in verse 10: "And he said, Tomorrow." What an incredible response. If Pharaoh had truly been thinking properly, would he have asked Moses to wait until the next day? Maybe he was hoping the frogs would go away by themselves, and then he wouldn't have to let the children of Israel go after all. Or, maybe he was hoping that, before daybreak, his "magicians" would be able to come up with a solution that would allow him to keep his slaves. Whatever the reason, Pharaoh chose to spend "one more night with the frogs," therefore allowing time for his heart to harden even more.

Someone has likened sin to a thread. If another person wrapped a thread around you once, it would be easy to break it and escape. But what if you stood there until that thread had been wrapped around you 100 times, or 200 times? Eventually, several strands of that little thread would become strong enough to prevent your escape. Sin works in much the same way. If we would choose to obey God when we first have opportunity, and turn away from sin when we first realize we are involved in it, it would be much easier. Too many people are like Pharaoh; they would rather spend "one more night with the frogs."

I once read a story about an eagle that saw a little lamb stranded on an ice flow. The powerful eagle swooped down and landed on the ice and began to eat the helpless lamb. Up ahead was a giant waterfall over which, in a few minutes, both the eagle and his prey would fall if he did not take to the skies in time. He continued to feast on the lamb, thinking that just before the flow of ice in which his prey was trapped went over the edge, he would spread his powerful wings and take to the skies, thereby avoiding certain death.

The only problem was that the eagle failed to realize that his feet had caused the ice to thaw and sunk down into the chunk of ice, which then froze over his feet. When he lifted his powerful wings and began to flap them for his takeoff, low and behold, he was trapped and was swept over the waterfall to his untimely demise.

Remember David? Rather than turning from his lust when he saw Bathsheba bathing, he chose to "spend one more night with the frogs," and eventually committed adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:2-5). David could have avoided adultery if he had broken the thread of sin when he first lusted after Bathsheba. But that little thread became David's cocoon, which led to his having a drunken feast (2 Samuel 11:13), and eventually to Uriah's murder (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Why didn't David take care of this sin when it would have been so simple to defeat?

The question is a little difficult when we apply it to our own lives. Why do we spend "one more night with the frogs?" Why do we choose to continue in sin? "Next week I'll change my life." "Next month I'll be more faithful in attendance." "Some day I'll become a Christian." "Some day I'll..." Sadly, we need to remember the sober words in the book of James, "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14) In Pharaoh's case, "one more night with the frogs" eventually cost his son's life. Will it cost you your soul?

This article caught my eye because of the title. Our good brother has done a masterful job of taking an old story and making a good present-day application. While the article speaks for itself, I would like to add some "food for thought" for our readers.

Christians are often the very best at "putting things off" until a later date. Why do we do it? I'm afraid it is due to lack of respect for, and understanding about, the uncertainty of death or of the Lord's return. The scriptures clearly teach both things. "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." {Hebrews 9:27} "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat." {2 Peter 3:10-12} We know God cannot lie, so why do we leave undone those things that will cost us an eternity of separation from God?

Time is not on our side. We do not control the clock's ticks, and we never know when it will stop-either for the world or our own lives. God has given ample warnings, examples, and reasons to obey Him while we have time and opportunity. Unfortunately, many are squandering their opportunities. Only their hearts know the reasons why. So many times when I offer the invitation, I wonder why those who know what to do-do not act. What can I say? What could I do to touch their hearts and persuade them to obey? Truth is-the ball is in their court, and they must choose-I cannot do it for them.

Dear reader, please consider the brevity of life, the blessing of time, and the certainty of death and eternity. One more "night with the frogs" might be one night too many!! (KMG)