Wednesday, November 1, 2023

THE REST

 


NOVEMBER 1


THE REST

Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.       Revelation 14:13

The better land is the land of rest for the weary, and of sweet repose for the troubled.


Here, we are often tossed with tempests, and are not comforted; or
we toil on in weariness, discouragement, and sadness.


But "there remaineth a rest for the people of God," and a glorious rest it is.


For a time, the poor body will rest in the grave, and the disembodied spirit will rest in the presence of Jesus.
 
 
My aged friend, thy labour in carrying thy cross has been wearying;
thy labour for the cause of Jesus has been exhausting; and the inward conflict has added greatly to the trouble of thy soul; but now thou shalt rest!


Rest from all temptationno more trials of faith, patience, and perseverance; no more solicitations to sin against God, grieve the Holy Spirit, and dishonor the cause dear to thy heart.


No more painful afflictionseither personal or relative; of  mind or body.


No more self-denying dutiesnor crucifying of the  old man, or mortifying the flesh, with its affections and lusts.
All field labour, all outdoor work, is done.


No more exposure to storms and tempeststo burning suns or pinching frosts; no more bleak winds nor pelting showers; "the winter is past," these things are over and gone.
 
 
Rest! O how sweet is rest to the weary!


Rest! O how delightful the sound to the exhausted traveler!


Rest! O how pleasant to the poor, tired, and afflicted believer!


 
No more wearisome nights are appointed for thee now!


No long, almost endless, days of strong pain remain for thee now.


No need now to wish for the wings of a dove, that thou mayest flee away and be at rest.


Thou shalt rest, and rest for ever.


Thy rest will be sweeter than an angel's, it will be as sweet as the rest of Jesus,  when he ascended from the tree of agonyfrom the field of blood.
 
"Arise, and depart! For this is not your resting placebecause it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy!"

                        Micah 2:10

James Smith 1869

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