October 22

Rest from self

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest” (Exod. 33:14).
“Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Heb. 4:1).
“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God” (Heb. 4:9).

“And I will give you rest”—so said my Lord.
I heard His word,
I started, sighed. “Dear Lord,” I cried,
“My heart is sick and sore;
No peace dwells in my breast.
Give me this guest—Thy rest
For evermore.”

With tender, instant touch out of my heart
The sting, the smart,
The secret, native source of pain He drew,
And held it up to view.
I looked. The smart, the sting
Was SELF! The deadly thing
Forthwith I knew.

“Wilt thou,” said He, “consent to part with this—
The bane of bliss?
Peace cannot dwell within if self is there.”
“Dear Lord,” I quick replied, “I see
If self is slain
My loss is glorious gain:
Self I resign to Thee.”

He smiled a gracious smile, and with a breath
Smote self to death.
And then surprising sweet He entered in!
Himself my peace, my rest from sin!
He is my other self, and I
Serve Him alone in free captivity,
Delighting in His wondrous discipline.
—W. T. G.

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