THE FAMILY ALTAR:
May 18.
"There remaineth, therefore, a rest to the people of God. Let
us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest." Heb. 4:9, 11
Yes, there remaineth yet a rest!
Arise, sad heart, that darkly pines,
By heavy care and pain opprest,
On whom no sun of gladness shines;
Look to the Lamb! in yon bright fields
Thou'lt know the joy His presence yields;
Cast Off thy load and thither haste;
Soon shalt thou fight and bleed no more,
Soon, soon thy weary course be o'er,
And deep the rest thou then shalt taste.
The rest appointed thee of God,
The rest that naught shall break or move,
That ere this earth by man was trod
Was set apart for thee by Love.
Our Savior gave His life to win
This rest for thee; 0 enter in!
Hear how His voice sounds far and wide,
Ye weary souls, no more delay,
Loiter not faithless by the way,
Here in My peace and rest abide!
Ye heavy-laden, come to Him!
Ye who are bent with many a load,
Come from your prisons drear and dim,
Toil thus not sadly on your road!
Ye've borne the burden of the day,
And hear ye not the Savior say:
"I am your Refuge and your Rest"?
His children ye, of heavenly birth,
Howe'er may rage sin, hell, or earth,
Here ye are safe, here calmly blest.
"Let us labor, therefore, to enter into that rest." How?
We are told very plainly that the children of Israel failed to
reach the Promised Land with its sweet rest from their weary
wanderings because of their unbelief. Let us, therefore, sincerely
believe the promises of our God concerning the blessed rest pro-
vided for His children in heaven, and let us walk in His paths
and follow His guidance in childlike obedience, and we shall
come to the everlasting rest of the saints in heaven, when our
pilgrim days in the wilderness of this world are over.
There is untroubled calm and light,
No gnawing care shall mar our rest;
Ye weary, heed this word aright,
Come, lean upon your Savior's breast.
Fain would I linger here no more,
Fain to yon happier world upsoar,
And join that bright expectant band.
O raise, my soul, the joyful song
That rings through yon triumphant throng;
Thy perfect rest is nigh at hand.
