("Labor unto Rest")

This precious admonition, found in Hebrews 4:11, has ever been the true motive power of all who have sincerely served God in the world. It is a sweet and happy word, well worthy of our most serious consideration at all times. "Let us labor unto rest," or as the J. N. D. Version puts it, "Let us use diligence to labor unto that rest." David, we are told, "After he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep" (Acts 13:36). Full and varied indeed was his life of service to Jehovah. He was shepherd, soldier, and king. And it was service "by the will of God," we are told, thus reminding us that all genuine service must be "in the Lord." But it was a course of ministry to the Lord and His beloved people, a course of service with the end in view:"After he had served he fell on sleep." At last his shepherd's staff was laid down, his sword sheathed, and the skillful fingers of "the sweet singer of Israel" having swept the dulcimer for the final song of praise, "he fell on sleep." "Rest, divine rest," is his now; his goal is reached, and he finds himself in the presence of the One his soul loved. Blessed, happy portion of this mighty servant of old! May it deepen in our hearts the same desire to thus serve and thus rest!

So might we take for our example, perhaps in a closer way, the great servant of the New Testament, Paul the Apostle. Where, if ever, could a greater laborer, servant, shepherd and soldier of Jesus Christ, be found? "I labored more abundantly than them all," he says. And again, "I have fought the good fight." He had drunk deeply of the grace of Christ, he enjoyed the conscious presence of his glorious Master with amazing fulness as he served, and his passion for sinners, his love for saints, were ever at white heat, and yet, beyond these blessed heart-urgings, this master workman longed for "that rest." "I am pressed by both, having the desire for departure and being with Christ, for it is very much better." "Laborat ut quiesca" was written in large letters over all that he did, and we view him at the end of his course exulting in the hope that lay ahead. "I have fought the good fight, I have kept the faith, I have finished my course, henceforth…." Ah, what lay behind that word, "henceforth," but worlds of glory? Glory with his Master, rest in His loving affections. Can we wonder that Paul was willing to endure so much?

And then, too, that only perfect example, even our blessed Lord Himself. What a servant He was! Only three and a half years allotted to Him, yet we know what years of untiring labor they were. Never an idle moment, never a single gap in those crowded years. "The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister." "He went about doing good." What service, what labor! But "the sleep of the laboring man is sweet," and He "who had not where to recline His head" while serving and suffering, at last on that dreadful cross "having reclined His head, gave up the ghost." "It is finished," He exclaims. The work is done, the task finished, and now the Blessed One having "ceased from His own works" enters into "that rest." Having these thoughts before us, and with the near return of our Lord to brighten our hearts, dear brethren, "Let us labor unto that rest"-rest with God Himself, His dear Son, and all His redeemed. Ralph A. West