“If we believed, we should arise and sing,
Dropping our burdens at Christ’s pierced feet;
Sorrow would flee, and weariness take wing,
Hard things grow fair, and bitter waters sweet.
“If we believed, what room for fear or care,
Within his arms, safe sheltered on his breast?
Peace for our pain, and hope for our despair,
Is what he meant who said, ‘I give thee rest.’”
Weariness may be wholesome. It is wholesome when it is the natural consequence of earnest, healthful activity. Such weariness finds its renewal in rest and in God’s blessing of sleep. Blessed is the weariness of youth or of health, which is built up into joyous vigor overnight. That is a beautiful rendering of an old Psalm verse which runs: “He giveth to his beloved in sleep.” An old tale tells of the young artist who from sheer weariness fell asleep before the picture over which he had also grown discouraged. Then, while he slept, his master came softly into the studio and, with a few quick, skilful touches, corrected the errors in the work, and brought out of the beauty which the pupil had dreamed of, and had vainly sought to put upon his canvas.
The story is a true illustration of what God is constantly doing for his children when they grow weary in their work and fall asleep over it. Many a half wrought out picture do his hand finish overnight. He takes away the discouragement and puts fresh hope and courage into the heart, while his children sleep. Weariness like this is full of blessing. We might frame a new beatitude, “Blessed are the weary, for they shall find God’s rest.”
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