Nightfall

The sun is slipping silently
   Off the Western edge of night,
Gentle breezes stir the cool, dark grasses,
   And crickets chirp in dimming light.
  
      The sky in majesty of hues
         Shows its changing colors to the earth,
      And stars in uncharted courses
         Whisper of another day—rebirth.

The weariness of this day's hassles
   Fades against the thought so great:
That God would send His Son to die—
   For me!  My punishment to take!
  
      So gently close my eyes, Dear Lord,
         That my cares in sleep are washed away;
      When Darkness comes around me deep,
         Bring me the hope of another day.

- D. Benning

Upon the Sabbath Rest

After reading someone's joy at finishing their college term, I began thinking about how God gives us 6 days to complete our normal tasks; then a seventh day to enjoy as rest. I then thought how sullied and empty that Rest is if we still have work that needs to be done, hanging over our heads. Let us then make sure to complete the work of the week and so prepare our souls for deeper enjoyment of His Sweet Rest.

This is but a pale analogy of that great Sabbath Rest which He bids us to partake of. So how much more we should work hard and diligently make sure that we do enter into His Sweet Rest having done all--all that the Master requires! Then we will enter into His Rest with the sweet happiness of accomplishment--yet fully aware that all accomplishment is but because He accomplished it all for us with His great "It is Finished!"


Ah, sweet joy of blessed rest and accomplishment,
hebdomadal habituation heralding Heavenly hope,
irenic icon of idealized incentive,
perfect peace procured by pardon and partaken of by privileged permission,
sweet happiness of labors done and victories won.....