HOW TO FIND REST by Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 10, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 23.

HOW TO FIND REST.

By Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler

BY REV. THEODORE L. CUYLER.

WHEN Noah's dove found no rest for her weary wing, what did she do? We read that she "returned into the ark." Here is the duty of every restless, sin-troubled soul. God says, "Return unto me." Listen to the invitation of the divine love. When the dove returned, she brought nothing but herself. So you can bring nothing to Jesus except one poor, guilty, unsatisfied sinner. Do not bring your sins; do not bring any claims of self-righteousness; they will not pay for the transportation. Jesus wants you, and you need Jesus. Then come to him just as you are, a weak, crippled soul, utterly powerless to help or to heal yourself. The prodigal son only brought one ragged, shoeless, half-starved wretch to his father's door, but that was all the good old father wanted to see. Jesus wants you.

Remember that there was only one ark for Noah's dove to fly to; on every side was the desolation of a drowned world. So God has provided only one ark for your weary, wandering soul. He has not provided a variety of religions, and left us to take our choice. He does not perplex you with several "historical religions," for there is none other name given under heaven whereby you can be saved than the name of Him whose blood cleanseth from all sin. Prince and peasant, philosopher and pauper child, have the same disease, and can only be cured by the same Physician. The core of all true creeds and confessions of faith is just this: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." And the sweet, winsome message he sends to your troubled heart is, "Come to me, and I will give you rest."

Observe, too, that the ark had only "one window." All the light and the air came in through that single casement. Beautifully does that single open window typify unto you the illumination of the Holy Spirit. How strikingly it illustrates the fact that every soul which flies toward Jesus must come into the new life through the guiding and renewing influence of the divine Spirit. Regeneration brings the penitent sinner in vital union with Christ; the Spirit alone regenerates.

Troubled friend, the window is open; the blessed Spirit is drawing you now. It is not a pastor, or an evangelist, or a visit to an inquiry meeting, that you need, or can give you relief. Coöperate with the Holy Spirit. Go whither he leads; do what he bids you. Quit the sins which hold you back, and yield your whole self up to Christ. In fact, the coming in through that open window of light and hope into the pardoning love and strength and fullness of the crucified Son of God, is saving faith. It is not the opinion about Christ, but the act of grasping yourself fast to Christ, that alone can save your soul. When you do what the weary dove did,—when you give over everything else and just betake yourself straight to the only ark of refuge, and light down there,—your immediate duty is done. Then the infinitely loving Jesus will do for you what the patriarch did for the returning dove,—he will "draw you in,"—into a covenant union with himself, into a new life, new light, new strength, new hope—everything is become new—into a wondrous and satisfying peace. As your fluttering soul yields itself to the all-sufficient Saviour, you will hear him say, "My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you; let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." When you find Jesus, you have found rest.—Selected.