"THERE remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God." What cheering language this is to the poor saint, who almost worn out with service is still bending his steps towards the Paradise of God. Trials come thick and fast, and often the billows of adversity almost overwhelm him, but these supporting words, "there remaineth a rest," seem as a sort of stimulant and at once he accelerates his pace. Well, blessed be the God of Paul, that these words ever found their way into the New Testament! What would the saints do if this text was not in the Bible? We should feel like David who longed for wings like a dove that he might wander afar off in the wilderness and there be at rest. But dear brethren and sisters, this blessed passage is in the Bible, and we may all read it just as often and when we please. Then let us bear in mind while we are urging our way through these low grounds of sin, that there is a "rest" just ahead, that our season of toil and fatigue for the Master's sake is almost passed, and soon we shall enjoy an eternal reprieve. Then let the winds blow, let the storms beat, let the tempests rage, for amidst it all we can look through the cheerless gloom, by faith descry the city of God, and whisper satisfaction to our soul in the quieting words, "there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
What an ocean of comfort this little short verse must contain for the poor. They see the men of this world in great prosperity and spreading themselves abroad like a green bay-tree, while they have to toil and dig, and often with trickling tears and sweating face they barely get their daily bread. But never mind, dear brother, just go into the Sanctuary of God as David did, and when you understand their end, you will think that the lines are fallen to you in a "pleasant place," and that you have "a goodly heritage." Cheer up lone brother and sister! "there remaineth a rest for the people of God." "Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God," and so do we, and with the poet we can say,
"There's my home, there's my home."
There will be no rent to pay in the New Jerusalem, no taking land "on shares" in the New Earth, and never more shall the people of God have waters of a full cup wrung out to them by the "haters of the Lord." No, thanks be to God for the unspeakable promises, "the saints of the Most High shall take the kingdom," "Jerusalem which is above is free," and the "Canaanite shall no more dwell in the house of the Lord of hosts." Amen, cries my willing soul, for "there remaineth a rest to the people of God."
Brethren, sisters, one and all, old and young, listen while I tell you we are almost to Mount Zion. The parting skies will soon reveal the matchless form of our adorable Lord. Don't you feel well over this? Don't your heart ache for the freedom of the sons of God? Don't your spirit begin to grow restive while you anticipate the unutterable glory a little in the future? Mine does, and my impatient heart cries out, "Come Lord Jesus, come quickly." Brethren, let us bring the consummation nigh, and contemplate the glory soon to be revealed. We shall not be false prophets for doing this, and it will have the most salutary effect on our souls.