A very literal translation of the first part of this verse reads as follows: “And the fruit-season of thy soul’s desire is gone from thee.” This is both solemn and suggestive, as it tells of the condition of soul into which one falls who trifles with eternal things until they no longer leave any serious impression upon the mind and heart. “The fruit-season of thy soul’s desire,” speaks of those early days when conscience was tender and impressions were made which, if acted upon, would have resulted in salvation and everlasting felicity. But every day of procrastination tends to make the conscience less sensitive and the possibility of eventual salvation more remote, until at last the fruit-season of the soul’s desire is gone, and there is no longer any concern about the things of eternity. It is a very dangerous thing to refuse to heed when God speaks. Many there are who, because of continued rejection of the Word of the Lord, have gone beyond redemption-point in the river of life, and now have lost all concern about their guilt and their danger. It is of God’s great mercy if this is not so with you who are unsaved.
“‘Manana,’ says the Spaniard;
‘Tomorrow,’ some folk,’ say;
But hear ‘what saith the Scripture,’
‘While it is called to-day.’
Some more convenient season,
One wanted long ago;
To bury first his father
Another wished to go.
Now is the time accepted;
Now is salvation’s day;
Look on the fields of harvest,
Then, ‘Son, go work today.’
So preach the Word, and scatter
The seed along the way;
Be instant in each season,
‘While it is called To-day.’”
―Violet Ursula Fraser.