They need no lamp nor light of the sun,
for the LORD GOD gives them light.
And they shall reign forever and ever!"
Revelation 22:5
While in this world, our weary bodies
require the refreshment of sleep; and
our merciful GOD has graciously given
to us this sweet restorer of strength.
Often we have retired to rest,
overcome with fatigue and anxiety,
perhaps distressed with pain--
but sleep has taken away these
feelings, and we have risen
the next day in health and peace,
to serve our GOD with joyfulness.
On a bed of sickness, this
text has often been a source
of comfort to the believer,
But there will be no night in Heaven,
because there will be no need . . .
of rest from labor,
of relief from pain,
of solace and refreshment under fatigue.
The former state of things will have
fully passed away, and one eternal
unclouded day will have dawned upon us!
Our spirits will then be made perfect--
and at the resurrection our glorified
bodies will rise, no more to be a
clog upon our souls' enjoyment.
A night of pain and wakefulness,
is often a time in which GOD teaches
HIS people. In the midst of active
employment, the soul is not
at leisure for reflection; and
in the short periods devoted to
retirement for prayer and meditation--
the thoughts are often strangely
distracted by what has gone before,
or by the anticipation of coming events.
But in a night of weariness and
pain, there seems to be a rest
from outward things; the soul is
brought to a stand before GOD--
it must think, it must reflect,
it must examine itself, and
ask if all is safe for eternity--
if it is in CHRIST,
if it is prepared to die.
Blessed result of pain--
if led thereby to seek the LORD
JESUS, and find rest in HIM!
Blessed result of pain--
if led thereby to meditate on
Heaven's eternal day of rest!
No wearisome hours of discipline--
no learning the dark intricacies
and windings of our heart,
and the deceitfulness of sin.
There shall be no night there--
no night of error, no darkness
of soul, no dark unbelieving
thoughts of GOD, and of HIS
ways; but all will be clear, bright
and shining to all eternity!
The way by which the LORD our
GOD has led us, will then be seen.
The retrospect will be clear--
we will see that our path has
been a safe and right one, and
we will glorify our gracious GOD!
way, that they might go to a city
of habitation." Psalm 107:7
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
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