Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 100:399 (Jul 1943)
Article: The Duty and Reward of Sober Thought
Author: Samuel M. Zwemer

BSac 100:399 (Jul 43) p. 422

The Duty and Reward of Sober Thought

Samuel M. Zwemer

[Editor’s Note: This sermon by the well-known Professor Emeritus of Missions and the History of Religion, Princeton Seminary, was delivered first in National Bible Institute and then in the Chapel of Dallas Seminary, March 24, 1943. Words from 1 Peter 1:13 formed the text: “Wherefore, girding up the loins of your mind, be sober,” along with a portion of Matthew 23:37: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God...with all thy mind” (the last four words, it was pointed out, had been added by Christ to the command of Deuteronomy being cited).]

When a man grows old he becomes reminiscent. Peter’s epistles are proof of the memories that crowded his thoughts and that carried him back to the nets and the boat and the Sea of Galilee where he first met the Master of his life. Where he made his first confession and celebrated his second communion. Here is a real fisherman’s metaphor! How often he had girded his loins as he tugged and toiled at the nets in the rugged boat. How oft have I seen such Oriental fishermen on the shores of the Persian Gulf with cast-net wading waist-deep into the sea and girt about with a leathern girdle.

To your Oriental the girdle is everything because it is indispensable. It is the last article of dress a man will pawn or discard. On the girdle he hangs his most precious possessions-it is a sign of pride, of power, of activity, of independence. “Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle,” sang David. “Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning,” said David’s greater Son. The warrior girded his sword on his thigh before the battle. Elijah girded himself and outran the chariot of Ahab on the day of destiny. The New Testament bids the Christian warrior first of all gird himself with truth. Christ our Saviour wore the girdle of a carpenter at the bench in Nazareth; girded

BSac 100:399 (Jul 43) p. 423

Himself with a towel to teach humility (in this same letter Peter is reminded of the story) and appears in glory girt about the breast with a golden girdle.

All this which Peter found in his pocket-Testament and in his notes of the three years he spent with Jesus-all this occurs to him when he says to us: “Gird up the loins of your mind.” Tighten the belt about the loins of your wandering thoughts. Let your mind be alert, awake, active, prepared for decision and conclusion. Gird up your loins! Free yourself from the entanglements of minor matters that cling like a robe dangling on your ankles. Be ready for these three:

The race of thought.
The service of thought.
T...