20 THE REST

THE REST

Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will REST from their labor, for their deeds will follow them." Revelation 14:13 The better land is the land. . .
of rest for the weary, and
of sweet repose to the troubled.

Here in this poor world—we are often tossed with tempests, and are not comforted; or we toil on in weariness, discouragement, and sadness. But "there remains a rest for the people of God!" And a glorious rest it is! For a short time, the poor body will rest in the grave—and the disembodied spirit will rest in the presence of Jesus! My aged friend, your labor in carrying your cross has been wearying; your labor for the cause of Jesus has been exhausting; and the inward conflict has added greatly to the trouble of your soul; but now you shall rest!

You shall rest from all temptation. You shall have no more solicitations to sin against God, grieve the Holy Spirit, and dishonor the cause dear to your heart.

You shall have no more trials of faith, patience, and perseverance.

You shall have no more painful afflictions, either personal or relative; of either mind or body.

You shall have no more self-denying duties, nor crucifying of the old man, or mortifying the flesh, with its affections and lusts.

All strenuous labor of either body and mind—is forever done! No more exposure to storms and tempests, to burning suns or pinching frosts! No more biting winds nor pelting showers! "The winter is past!" These things are forever 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 you now! No long, almost endless, days of strong pain remain for you now! No need now to wish for the wings of a dove, that you may flee away and be at rest!

You shall rest, and rest forever! Your 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 agony, from the field of blood.

"Arise, and depart! For this is not your resting place, because it is defiled, it is ruined, beyond all remedy!" Micah 2:10