A Man of Rest . . . He Shall Build.
To build lasting structures, we must become men and women of rest, trusting in God's working and surrendering to His will.
F.B. Meyer emphasizes that true builders of lasting structures are those who find rest in God, as exemplified by Solomon's construction of the Temple rather than David's. He highlights the importance of having a profound conviction that God is actively working in the world, which brings peace even in tumultuous times. Meyer calls for complete surrender to God's will, acknowledging that this may require the destruction of our fleshly desires. He reassures believers that God works within us to fulfill His good purposes, encouraging a life free from hurry and anxiety. Ultimately, by yielding to God, we can build with lasting significance.
Text
A man of rest . . . he shall build. 1 Chron. xxii. 9, 10.
THE men of rest are the builders of the most lasting structures. Solomon builds the Temple, not David. Mary's deed of anointing, learnt in much sitting at the Lord's feet, fills the world with its aroma. What is needed to make us men and women of rest?
First, a profound conviction that God is working. ‑‑ Never despair of the world, said the late Mrs. Beecher Stowe, when you remember what God did with slavery: the best possible must happen. This serene faith, that all things are working out for the best ‑‑ the best to God, the best to man ‑‑ and that God is at the heart of all, will calm and still us in the most feverish days. There is a strong and an experienced Hand on the helm.
Next, an entire surrender to his will. ‑‑ God's will is certain to mean the destruction of the flesh, in whatever form He finds it; but it is our part to yield to Him; to will his will even to the cross; to follow our leader Christ in this, that He yielded Himself without reserve to execute his Father's purpose.
Thirdly, a certain knowledge that He is working within to will and do of his good pIeasure. ‑‑ what a blessed peace possesses us when once we realize that we are not called on to originate or initiate, nor to make great far‑reaching plans and try to execute them; but just to believe that God is prepared to work through our hands, speak by our life, dwell in our bodies, and fulfil in us the good purposes of his will. Be full of God's rest. Let there be no hurry, precipitation, or fret; yield to God's hands, that He may mould thee: hush thy quickly throbbing pulse! So shalt thou build to good and lasting purpose.
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Rest in Building
- What is Needed to Make Us Men and Women of Rest
- The Benefits of Resting in God
- Calm and stillness in the midst of turmoil
- The destruction of the flesh and the yielding to God's will
- A certain knowledge that God is working within us
Key Quotes
“Never despair of the world, said the late Mrs. Beecher Stowe, when you remember what God did with slavery: the best possible must happen.” — F.B. Meyer
“There is a strong and an experienced Hand on the helm.” — F.B. Meyer
“Be full of God's rest. Let there be no hurry, precipitation, or fret; yield to God's hands, that He may mould thee: hush thy quickly throbbing pulse!” — F.B. Meyer
Application Points
- We must trust in God's working and not despair of the world's circumstances.
- We must surrender to God's will, even when it means the destruction of our flesh.
- We must yield to God's hands and let Him mould us, rather than trying to hurry and precipitate our own plans.