Read Job 3; Jeremiah 20:14-1814Cursed be the day wherein I was born: let not the day wherein my mother bare me be blessed. 15Cursed be the man who brought tidings to my father, saying, A man child is born unto thee; making him very glad. 16And let that man be as the cities which the Lord overthrew, and repented not: and let him hear the cry in the morning, and the shouting at noontide; 17Because he slew me not from the womb; or that my mother might have been my grave, and her womb to be always great with me. 18Wherefore came I forth out of the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my days should be consumed with shame? (Jeremiah 20:14‑18); Matthew 11:25-3025At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. 28Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:25‑30), in connection. The Spirit of God in the above scriptures has furnished us with a very striking and edifying contrast.
“Job opened his mouth and cursed his day.” He sighed for rest, but sought it amid the shades of death, and in the darkness of the tomb. Dismal rest!
In the prophet Jeremiah we see the same thing. Both these beloved and honored saints of God, when overwhelmed by outward pressure, lost for a moment that well-balanced condition of soul which genuine faith ever imparts.
Now, the blessed Master stands before us in Matthew 11 in glorious contrast.
That chapter records a number of circumstances which seemed entirely against Him. Herod’s prison would seem to have shaken the Baptist’s confidence. The men of that generation had refused the double testimony of righteousness and grace, in the ministry of John and Christ Himself.
Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had remained impenitent in view of His “mighty works.” What, then? Did the Master take up the language of His servants, Job and Jeremiah? By no means. His perfect will was perfectly blended with that of His Father; and hence, “At that time (when all seemed against Him) Jesus answered and said, I thank Thee, O Father... for so it seemed good in Thy sight.” Here it was that Jesus found His rest. And here it is that He invites “all who labor and are heavy laden,” to “find rest.” He does not point us to the grave as our resting place; but He graciously stoops down and invites us to share His yoke with Him—to drink into His “meek and lowly” spirit—to bear about a mortified will—to meet the darkest dispensations, and the most trying, circumstances, with a “thank God,” and an “even so.” This is divine “rest.” It is rest in life, and not in death; rest in Christ, and not in the grave.
Reader, do you ever find yourself disposed to wish for the grave, as a relief from pressure? If so, look at the above scriptures. Think of them, pray over them, and seek to find your rest where Jesus found His, in having no will of your own.
We often think that a change of circumstances would make us happy. We imagine, if this trial were removed, and that deficiency made up, we should be all right. Let us remember, when tempted to think thus, that what we want is, not a change of circumstances, but, our eyes turned away from self, to the blessed Lord who ever gives us the victory, and then we shall enjoy peace.