1.
I will give you rest. (Matt. 11:28.)
THIS is the promise of our Lord Jesus to such as labor and are heavy laden, and He makes one condition in order that the blessing may be obtained, and that one condition is, that the soul come to Him. “Come unto Me. . .” Let us rejoice that we are amongst the thousands who have come to Jesus, and have obtained the rest, the burden of sin being gone―being taken away by the Lord.
2.
Ye shall find rest. (Matt. 11:29.)
Jesus takes away the burden of our sins, and gives us rest of conscience; and then He bids us take upon ourselves the burden of His yoke, that thereby we may find rest for our souls. He bore the burden of our sins for us, He bears the burden of His yoke with us. The name of this yoke is Obedience―obedience to the Father’s will. Our Lord says of it, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
3.
There remaineth a Sabbath rest for the people of God. (Heb. 4:9. R.V.)
This great rest will be entered into yonder. The rest we enjoy here in Christ is a foretaste of the rest we shall enjoy in heaven with Christ—rest from sorrow, from grief, rest from sinful surroundings and a sinful heart, rest in the full realization of the full blessing of God.
4.
He will rest in His love. (Zeph. 3:17.)
God Himself will rest in His love. “He will rejoice over thee with joy. He will joy over thee with singing!” Wonderful words. He Himself having accomplished every purpose of His love, having fulfilled every promise of His goodness, will rest in the perfect fulfilment of His work for His people. How immeasurable is the love of God!
5.
Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. (Heb. 4:11)
All the favors which we have in Christ, and all the favors which are assured to us through Him, should be inducements to lead us to a more earnest and a more holy life on earth. The prospects of heaven in our hearts effect energy to reach the rest assured there. We are called, in the view of the assured rest, to labor to enter into it, while and in our trials this gracious word soothes us: “Rest in the Lord; wait patiently for Him.”