Gracious "word" of a gracious Savior, on which the soul may
confidingly repose, and be at peace forever! It is a present rest; the
rest of grace as well as the rest of glory. Not only are there
signals of peace hung out from the walls of Heaven, the lights of
Home glimmering in the distance to cheer our footsteps; but we have the
"shadow" of this "great Rock!" in a present "weary land." Before the
Throne above is there "the sea of glass," without one rippling wave; but
there is a haven even on earth for the tempest-tossed, "We who
have believed DO enter into rest."
Reader, have you found this blessed repose in the blood
and work of Immanuel? Long going about "seeking rest and finding none," does
this "word" sound like music in your ears: "Come unto Me"? All
other peace is counterfeit, shadowy, unreal. The eagle spurns the gilded cage as
a poor exchange for his free-born soarings. The soul's immortal aspirations
cannot be satisfied, short of the possession of God's favor and love in
Jesus.
How complete is the invitation! If there had been one
condition in entering this covenant Ark, we must have been through
eternity at the mercy of the storm! But all are alike warranted and welcome, and
none more warranted than welcome. For the weak, the weary, the
sin-burdened and sorrow-burdened, there is an open door of grace.
Return, then, unto your rest, O my soul! Let the sweet cadence
of this "word of Jesus" move quietly upon you amid the disquietude's of earth.
Sheltered in Him, you are safe for time, safe for eternity! There may be, and
will be, temporary tossings, fears, and misgivings; manifestations of
inward corruption; but these will only be like the surface-heavings of the
ocean, while underneath there is a deep, settled calm. "You will keep him in
perfect peace" (lit. peace, peace) "whose mind is stayed on You." In the
world it is care on care, trouble on trouble, sin on sin, but every wave that
breaks on the believer's soul seems sweetly to murmur, "Peace,
peace!"
[John MacDuff]
✞✞✞
Matthew 11:28 ... Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
John 16:33 ... These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Isaiah 26:3 ... Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. ❤
