02 The Second Petition in the Lord's Prayer pt 3a
(21) The labor we take for heaven is a labor full of pleasure. Proverbs 3:17. A man sweats at his recreation, tires himself with hunting—but there is a delight he takes in it which sweetens it. "I delight in the law of God after the inward man." (Gr. I take pleasure) Romans 7:22. Not only is the kingdom of heaven delightful—but the way there is also pleasurable. What a delight has a gracious soul in prayer! "I will make them joyful in my house of prayer." Isaiah 56:7. While a Christian weeps, joy drops with tears; while he is musing on God, he has such quickening of the Spirit, and, as it were, such transfigurations of soul, that he thinks himself half in heaven! "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed," etc. Psalms 63:5-6. A Christian’s work for heaven is like a bridegroom’s work on the morning of the marriage-day, he puts on his vesture and wedding-robes in which he shall be married to his bride; so, in all the duties of piety, we are putting on those wedding robes in which we shall be married to Christ in glory. Oh, what solace and inward peace is there in close walking with God! "The work of righteousness shall be peace." Isaiah 32:17. Serving God is like gathering spices or flowers, wherein there is some labor—but the labor is recompensed with delight. Working for heaven is like digging in a gold mine; the digging is labor—but getting the gold is pleasure! O, then, let us bestir ourselves for the kingdom of heaven; it is a labor of pleasure. A Christian would not part with his joy for the most delicious music; he would not exchange his anchor of hope for a crown of gold. Well might David say, "In keeping your precepts there is great reward," not only after keeping your precepts—but in keeping them. Psalms 19:11. A Christian has both the spring-flowers and the crop; inward delight in serving God is the spring-flowers, in the kingdom of glory at last is the full crop.
(22) How industrious have the saints in former ages been! They thought they could never do enough for heaven; they could never serve God enough, love him enough. Augustine, "Lord, I have loved you too little!" What pains did Paul take for the heavenly kingdom. "Reaching forth unto those things which are before." Php 3:13. The Greek word, to reach forth, signifies to stretch out the neck; a metaphor from racers, who strain every limb, and reach forward to lay hold on the prize. Anna, the prophetess, "departed not from the temple—but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." Luke 2:37. Basil, by much labor for the kingdom, exhausted his bodily strength. "Let racks, pulleys, and all torments come upon me," said Ignatius, "just so that I may win Christ." The industry and courage of former saints, who are now crowned with glory, should provoke our diligence, that so at last we may sit down with them in the kingdom of heaven.
(23) The more pains we take for heaven, the more welcome will death be to us. What is it that makes men so reluctant to die? They are like a tenant which will not go out of the house until the officer pulls him out. They do not like to hear of death. Why so? Because their conscience accuses them, that they have taken little or no pains for heaven; they have been sleeping when they should have been working—and now they are afraid lest death should carry them prisoners to hell. But he who has spent his time in serving God, can look death in the face with comfort. He was wholly taken up about heaven—shall now be taken up to heaven; he traded before in heaven, and now he shall go to live there. "I desire to depart, and to be with Christ." Php 1:23. Paul had wholly laid himself out for God, and now he knew there was a crown laid up for him, and he longed to take possession.
Thus I have given you twenty-three persuasive or arguments to exert and put forth your utmost diligence for obtaining the kingdom of heaven. O that they were written in all your hearts, as with the point of a diamond! Because delays in these cases are dangerous, let me desire you to set upon this work for heaven at once. "I made haste, and delayed not to keep your commandments." Psalms 119:60. Many people are convinced of the necessity of looking after the kingdom of glory—but they say as those in Haggai 1:2, "The time is not come." They adjourn and put off until their time has slipped away—and so they lose the kingdom of heaven. Beware of this fallacy. Delay strengthens sin, hardens the heart, and gives the devil fuller possession of a man.
"The king’s business required haste." Just so, the business of salvation requires haste. 1 Samuel 21:8. Do not put off an hour longer. [The fleeting hour flies on fickle wings.] What assurance have you, that you shall live another day? Have you any lease of life granted? Why then do you not immediately arise out of the bed of sloth, and put forth all your strength and effort, that you may possessed the kingdom of glory? Should not things of the highest importance be done first? Settling a man’s estate, and clearing the title to his land, is not delayed—but done in the first place. What is there of such grand importance as the saving of your souls, and the gaining a kingdom? Therefore today hear God’s voice; now mind eternity; now get your title to heaven cleared before the decree of death brings forth. What imprudence is it to lay the heaviest load upon the weakest horse! So it is to lay the heavy load of repentance on yourself—when you are enfeebled by sickness, the hands shake, the lips quiver, and the heart faints. O be wise in time; prepare now for the kingdom. If a man begins his voyage to heaven in the storm of death—it is a thousand to one—that he suffers an eternal shipwreck!
(1) Often take a prospect of this heavenly kingdom. Climb up the celestial mount; take a turn, as it were, in heaven every day by holy meditation. "Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels." Psalms 48:12-13. See what a glorious kingdom heaven is! Christian, show your heart the gates of pearl, the beds of spices, the clusters of grapes which grow in the paradise of God. Say, "O my soul, all this glory is yours! It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you this kingdom." The thoughts of heaven are very delightful and ravishing. Can men of the world so delight in viewing their bags of gold, and fields of corn—and shall not the heirs of promise take more delight in contemplating the celestial kingdom? The serious meditation of the kingdom of glory would work these three effects:
(2) If you have hopes of this kingdom—be content though you have but a little of the world! Contentment is a rare thing, it is a jewel which few Christians wear; but if you have a grounded hope of heaven, it may work your heart to contentment. What though you have but little in possession, you have a kingdom in reversion! Were you to take an estimate of a man’s estate, how would you value it? By what he has in his house, or by his land? Perhaps he has little money or jewels in his house—but he owns vast lands—there lies his worth. A believer has but a little oil in the cruse, and meal in the barrel—but he has a title to a kingdom, and may not this satisfy him? If a man who lived here in England, had a great estate beyond the seas, and perhaps had no more money at present but just to pay for his voyage, he is content; he knows when he comes to his estate he shall have money enough. Just so, you who are a believer have a kingdom befallen you; though you have but little in your purse—yet if you have enough for your voyage to heaven, it is sufficient. God has given you grace, which is the fore-crop, and will give you glory, which is the after-crop; and may not this make you content?
(3) If you have hope of this blessed kingdom—pray often for its coming. Say, "May Your kingdom come." Only believers can pray heartily for the hastening of the kingdom of glory.
They cannot pray that Christ’s kingdom of glory may come, who never had the kingdom of grace set up in their hearts. Can the guilty prisoners pray that the trial may come?
They cannot pray heartily that Christ’s kingdom of glory may come, who are lovers of the world. They have found paradise, they are in their kingdom already; this is their heaven, and they desire to hear of no other; they are of his mind who said, that if he might keep his cardinalship in Paris, he would give up his part in paradise.
They cannot pray heartily that Christ’s kingdom of glory may come, who oppose his kingdom of grace, who break his laws, which are the scepter of his kingdom, who shoot at those who bear Christ’s name and carry his colors. Surely these cannot pray that Christ’s kingdom of glory may come, for then Christ will judge them; and if they say this prayer, they are hypocrites, they mean not what they speak. But you who have the kingdom of grace set up in your hearts, pray much that the kingdom of glory may hasten; say, "May Your kingdom come." When this kingdom comes, then you shall behold Christ in all his embroidered robes of glory, shining ten thousand times brighter than the sun in all its meridian splendor. When Christ’s kingdom comes, the bodies of the saints that sleep in the dust shall be raised in honor, and made like Christ’s glorious body; then your souls like diamonds, shall sparkle with holiness; you shall never more have a sinful thought, you shall be as holy as the angels; you shall be as holy as you desire to be, and as holy as God would have you to be. Then you shall be in a better state than in innocence. Adam was created a glorious creature—but mutable; a bright star—but a falling star; but in the kingdom of heaven is a fixation of happiness. When Christ’s kingdom of glory comes, you shall be rid of all your enemies; as Moses said, "The Egyptians whom you have seen to day, you shall see them no more forever." Exodus 14:13. So those enemies who have ploughed on the backs of God’s people, and made deep their furrows, when Christ shall come in his glory, you shall see no more. All Christ’s enemies shall be "put under his feet." 1 Corinthians 15:25. Before the wicked are destroyed, the saints shall judge them. "Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world?" 1 Corinthians 6:2. It will cut the wicked to the heart that those whom they have formerly scorned and scourged, shall sit as judges upon them, and vote with Christ in his judicial proceedings. Oh, then, well may you pray for the hastening of the kingdom of glory, "May Your kingdom come."
(4) If you have any good hope of this blessed kingdom—be of a joyful, cheerful temper. Have you a title to a kingdom, and are sad? "We rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Romans 5:2. Christians, the trumpet is ready to sound, an eternal jubilee is at hand, when a freedom from sin shall be proclaimed; your coronation-day is coming. It is but putting off your clothes, and laying your head upon a pillow of dust—and you shall be enthroned in a kingdom, and invested with the embroidered robes of glory! Does not all this call for a cheerful spirit? Cheerfulness adorns religion. It is a temper of soul who Christ loves. "If you loved me, you would rejoice." John 14:28. It makes many suspect heaven is not so pleasant, when they see those who are going there sad. How does the heir rejoice in hope of the inheritance? Who should rejoice if not a believer, who is heir of the kingdom, and such a kingdom as eye has not seen? When the flesh begins to droop, let faith lift up its head, and cause a holy jubilation and rejoicing in the soul.
(5) Let the saints long to be in that blessed kingdom. Does not a prince who travels in foreign countries, long to be in his own nation, that he may be crowned? The bride desires the marriage day. "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come! Even so, come, Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:17; Revelation 22:20. Surely our unwillingness to go hence, shows either the weakness of our faith in the belief of the heavenly kingdom, or the strength of our doubts whether we have an interest in it. Were our title to heaven more clear, we would need patience to be content to stay here any longer.
Again, our unwillingness to go hence, declares we love the world too much, and Christ too little. "Love," as Aristotle says, "desires union." Did we love Christ as we should, we should desire to be united to him in glory, when we might take our fill of love. Be humbled that you are so unwilling to go hence. Let us labor to arrive at that divine temper of soul, which Paul had: "Having a desire to depart and to be with Christ." Php 1:23.
We are compassed with a body of sin; should we not long to shake off this viper? We are in Mesech, and the tents of Cedar, in a place where we see God dishonored. Should we not desire to be gone? We are in a valley of tears. Is it not better to be in a glorious kingdom? Here we are combating with Satan. Should we not desire to be called out of the bloody field, where the bullets of temptation fly so fast, that we may receive a victorious crown? O you saints, breathe after the heavenly kingdom. Though we should be willing to stay to do service—yet we should anxiously desire to be always sunning ourselves in the light of God’s countenance. Think what it will be to be forever with the Lord! Are there any sweeter smiles or embraces than his! Is there any bed so soft as Christ’s bosom! Is there any such joy as to have the golden banner of Christ’s love displayed over us! Is there any such honor as to sit upon the throne with Christ! Revelation 3:21. O, then, long for the celestial kingdom!
(6) Wait for this kingdom of glory. It is not incongruous or improper to long for heaven—yet wait for it. Long for it because it is a kingdom—yet wait your Father’s good pleasure. God could bestow this kingdom at once—but he sees it good that we should wait awhile.
Use 7. For comfort to the people of God.
(1) In all their sufferings. "The true saint," as Luther says, "is heir to the cross." Affliction is his portion, but this keeps him from fainting—that his sufferings bring a kingdom. "The hope of the kingdom of heaven," says Basil, "should soften and sweeten all our troubles." "If we suffer—we shall also reign with him." 2 Timothy 2:12. It is but a short fight—but an eternal triumph. This light suffering produces an "eternal weight of glory." 2 Corinthians 4:17. The more weighty precious things are, the more they are worth, as the more weight in a crown of gold, the more it is worth. Did this heavenly glory last only for awhile only, it would much abate and embitter the joys of heaven; but it runs parallel with eternity. God will be a deep sea of blessedness, and the glorified saints shall forever bathe themselves in this ocean! One day’s wearing the crown will abundantly pay for all the saints’ sufferings; how much more when "they will reign forever and ever!" Revelation 22:5.
O let this be our support under all the calamities and sufferings in this life. What a vast difference is there between a believer’s sufferings and his reward! "The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18. For a few tears--we shall receive rivers of pleasure! For mourning, white robes. This made the primitive Christians laugh at imprisonments, and snatch up torments as so many crowns. Though now we drink in a wormwood-cup, there is sugar in the bottom to sweeten it. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!" Luke 12:32
(2) Comfort in death. That which takes away from God’s children the terror of death, is that they are entering into the kingdom. No wonder if wicked men are appalled and terrified at the approach of death, for they die unpardoned. Death carries them to the jail, where they must lie forever, without bail or deliverance; but why should any of God’s children be scared with thoughts of death? What hurt can death do to them—but lead them to a glorious kingdom! Faith gives a title to heaven—but death gives a possession of heaven. Let this be a gospel antidote to expel the fear of death. Let them fear death who do not fear sin; but let not God’s children be over much troubled at the grim face of that messenger, which brings them to the end of their sorrow, and the beginning of their joy.
"Death is yours," it is a part of the believer’s inventory. 1 Corinthians 3:22. Is a prince afraid to cross a narrow sea, who shall be crowned when he comes to shore? Death to the saints shall be an usher to bring them into the presence of the King of glory! This thought puts lilies and roses into the ghastly face of death, and makes it look amiable. Death brings us to a crown of glory which never fades away. The day of death is better to a believer than the day of his birth. Death is an entrance into a blessed eternity! Fear not death—but rather let your hearts revive when you think these rattling wheels of death’s chariot are but to carry you home to an everlasting kingdom!