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TOPIC: MacDuff, John - Hospice Of Pilgrim (Other Topics in this Collection)
SUBJECT: 21 The Earthly and the Heavenly Hospice
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THE EARTHLY AND THE HEAVENLY HOSPICE
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him?" Matthew 7:11
No hospice is more identified with peace, safety, security than that of a heavenly Father's love. When, therefore, the Bestower of Rest would inculcate, in the case of all weary and burdened ones, constant, unwavering trust, He strengthens and accentuates this feeling from its analogy with the tenderest of earthly ties. There is one important difference. Earthly parents, with the rarest exceptions, lavish affection on their offspring. But "being evil," with natures imperfect, they are apt at times to be indiscreet and unwise. Not so with our Father in heaven. He gives only what He knows to be best. It may not appear so to us. But our interests are in better and safer keeping than our own. There is often real kindness in His denial of blessings--in blessings withheld as well as in blessings bestowed. He blesses us often as the Jewish patriarch did his son's sons, "with hands crossed," speaking apparently with strange ambiguous voice. Life's hopes are thwarted, life's visions unrealized, life's mission unfinished, life's best years curtailed. Be patient. He who sees the end from the beginning, who knows the apparent contradictions of existence, and can view them in their due place and proportion, has some wise reasons muffled and concealed. As with that same father of Israel, "He guides His hands wittingly." Over every paternal dealing we can write--"He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness."
And while He has thus but one end in view--our good--He has but one condition in the bestowment of blessing--that we "ask Him." The treasury--His repertory of promise--is full and free. We have only to use the golden key of prayer, unlock its contents, and make them our own. The very act of prayer and the faith and confidence it implies, the casting ourselves unreservedly at the mercy-seat, will itself help to the solution of many baffling problems and the removal of unbelieving doubts. It was prayer, "wrestling" at the brook Jabbok, which terminated the night-conflict, and at break of day sent the struggling pleader on his way rejoicing, the inheritor of a new name and a new blessing. Prayer is the magical charm with which every pilgrim is supplied in issuing forth from the Gospel Hospice on his journey. Prayer is the polish with which every pilgrim soldier keeps bright and shining the whole armor of God.
O blessed Savior, give me this perfect rest in the assurance of a heavenly Father's protection, guidance, and care. I will look from the provided Hospice along the future, whether that future be bright with sunshine or mantled in gloom. I will see in Him to whom I owe all I have for time and for eternity a rich Provider, a wise Provider, a loving Provider, "the Father of all mercies, and the God of all grace."
"Beneath Your watchful, loving eye,
I supplicate for peace and rest,
Submissive in Your hand to lie,
And feel that it is best.
"Though often, like letters traced on sand,
My weak resolves have passed away,
In mercy lend Your helping Hand
Unto my prayer today."
An earthly father may err, and does err; but– "As for God, His way is perfect."
"This is the resting place, let the weary rest. This is the place of repose." Isaiah 28:12