March 12

Return unto thy rest, O my soul.—Psalms 116:7.

THE circumstances under which we are more especially called to return to God our rest.

Tranquillity ought to be the habit of a Christian; the peace of God ruling the heart, all its affections, cares, and fears, spreading its wand over the agitations of the soul, as Moses spread his over the sea, so that after it had stood trembling and heaving on heaps, the even surface was restored, and it flowed on, smooth and natural, as before. Whatever, therefore, disturbs, creates a season in which we are to summon the soul back to her rest.

1. When we are too much affected by the cares of ordinary life. Our Lord knew our danger when he said, "Take heed to yourselves, lest any time your hearts be overcharged with cares." Charged with cares they must often be; but not "overcharged." The remedy for this is to summon the spirit to return to its rest, when any deviation is felt or feared. And nothing is so powerful a motive to this as the reflection, "The Lord hath dealt bountifully with me." Past times are proofs of this; and I may still "cast my care upon him," because he still "careth for me."

2. Another season is, when we are pressed with uneasy fears as to our spiritual safety. We are to be anxious to discover whether such fears have any just foundation. But often, when they have not, they form a part of our temptation. Such fears may be the result of mistaking sensible joys as the measure of our grace. We ought to aspire after them; but we "live by faith," not by joy. Peace must be the result of a firm faith; joy is the effect of many circumstances. Or these fears may be the result of views partially directed to the awful attributes of God, his holiness and justice. Partial views of goodness lead to presumption; partial views of justice and holiness lead to bondage. Both attributes are united in the atonement; both are equally seen in that "glory of God" which shines in the face of "Jesus Christ." Perfect love casteth out the "fear which hath torment;" while it preserves that which is monitory. Or these fears may result from reflecting upon the falls of others, and our own past failures. Yet these ought only to produce caution, not prevent us from claiming a full salvation from God, as though our unbelief, or that of others, made the "truth of God of none effect." That truth stands sure. Fly again to that rock, and you shall find it unshaken. Or evil spirits may be suffered in various ways, mysterious to us, to "trouble the soul;" and their influence, like a cloud passing over a tranquil water, shall at once darken and ruffle it. But "wait upon God;" and the dark shade shall be chased by the spreading splendor of some new break of light, and the agitation shall subside at the omnipotent voice, "Peace, be still!" In all these uneasy moments say, "Return unto thy rest, O my soul;" and remember how "bountifully the Lord hath dealt with thee," in many similar exercises.

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3. When we have vainly perplexed ourselves with difficulties. - It is one of our failings that we too often go into difficulties, without a sufficient sense of our weakness. So Asaph, when he saw the "prosperity of the wicked." See Psalm lxxiii. This may stand as a specimen. He sought the solution in his own strength, and "was troubled," till he went into the "sanctuary of God." Then how sweetly did he return unto his rest! In Job we have an instance of this disturbed state of mind, arising from another cause, from judging what it was fit for the Lord to do. The challenges out of the whirlwind made Job feel that it was not for "potsherds of the earth" to strive with their Maker; and when he was brought to this, he returned to his rest.

4. When we have experienced special deliverance. Having obtained from God pardon, a revival of piety, restoration from affliction, deliverance from temptation and sorrow; then we ought to summon the spirit to "cleave with purpose of heart to the Lord," and to rest more fully in him, who is the strength of our heart, our portion, our exceeding great reward.