136. MIC 2:10. THE PRESENT NOT THE CHRISTIAN’S REST

Mic_2:10. The Present Not the Christian’s Rest

"Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest."’97Mic_2:10.

There is a strong tendency in the human mind, to live by sense, and not by faith. Sense invariably prefers the present to the future. Hence, we perceive why so many are absorbed in the fleeting scenes of this life; while heaven and eternity have no place in all their thoughts. They speak and act, they labor and toil, as if this world were their highest destination. The people of God are differently minded; they confess that they are but strangers and pilgrims, as their fathers were; they feel the force, and obey the spirit, of the address contained in the text, &c. Observe in this passage,

I. An important Truth stated.

"This is not your rest." The present world is not, cannot be, the rest of the good man; it is not suited to his dispositions; it cannot answer his expectations; it cannot fulfil his hopes.

1. It is not suited to his spiritual nature.

Might do for mere animal existences. It might answer for creatures merely rational. World full of beauty and excellency. But it does not meet the mighty grasp of the human mind. Solomon exhausted both its riches and its pleasures, and inscribed upon all of them, "Vanity of vanities."

2. The inspired figurative representations of it show it is not our rest.

The world is a sea; and the sea is always in motion. The world is a wilderness; and the traveller hastens through it. It is a field, the scene of toil and labor; the husbandman seeks rest in his house. The Christian is a mariner; but his rest is beyond the ocean of this life. He is a traveller; and his destination is beyond this dreary, waste, howling wilderness. He is a laborer; and when his day is ended, God shall give him rest from all his toil.

3. The experience of good men in all ages proves that this is not our rest.

Abraham went out, &c.; Moses forsook it, &c.; David longed to fly away and be at rest; Job declared that he loathed it, and would not live alway; Paul desired to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better.

4. The afflictions of life prove it is not our rest.

This world is one scene of crosses and disappointments; poverty, reproach, persecution, temptation; afflictions, bodily, mental, domestic, &c. Hence, the good man groans in this tabernacle, being burdened. He waits for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of his body. Rom_8:23.

5. Our bereavements preach the same truth.

We see Rachel weeping for her children; David lamenting over Jonathan; the sisters mourning over Lazarus. Our parents, our partners, our children, our friends, where are they? They are gone before us; we are following them; and fearing that we should build below the skies, they beckon us onward, and remind us, that this is not our rest.

6. The most joyous earthly scenes further establish it.

Those who have all that heart can wish, or soul enjoy; those who are great, and healthful, and rich, are not happy. The spirit cannot be bound or be content with earthly good; it will soar upwards; it will press forward; and nothing less than an eternity and an infinity of delights can meet its demands, and satiate its desires.

Notice in the text,

II. A consequent Duty urged.

"Arise ye, and depart," &c. Now, this duty includes,

1. An abandonment of the world as the object of our affections and trust.

"Love not the world," &c.; 1Jn_2:15. "Set your affections," &c.; Col_2:1-3.

2. A firm and blessed persuasion, that there is another and a better world.

Yes: God has revealed one, a heavenly one. It is exhibited in his word’97promised in his gospel’97and offered to all who love and serve him.

3. A free and decided choice of this as suited to our capacities and desires.

A spiritual, holy, and eternal rest.

4. A vigorous employment of the appointed means for its possession.

To "arise" from stupor and carelessness from inattention and unbelief; and to seek and pursue, by believing prayer and holy obedience, the way which is marked out as leading to the heavenly Jerusalem Having entered the old paths, there is going onwards from stage to stage, until they appear perfect before the God of gods in Zion.

Application

1. Warn the worldling. Be not deceived; yield not to infatuation. This is not a rest for immortal spirits. "What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" 2. Arouse the supine. Many subscribe to the truth of the text, but still remain careless, at ease, &c. Surely, it is now high time to awake, to be anxious, to be in earnest. 3. Encourage the Christian traveller. Travel onwards. There is a rest; and it is yours by promise, by anticipation; and you shall soon possess it. Lift up your heads; the time of your redemption draweth nigh.

"You are marching through Immanuel’s land.

To fairer worlds on high!"

Autor: JABEZ BURNS