WORK AND REST

PSALMS 104:2

A. "MAN GOETH FORTH UNTO HIS WORK AND TO HIS LABOR UNTIL THE EVENING"
  1. The Psalmist spent much of his time in nature observing man and beast:
    1. Beasts creep back to their dens at the rising of the sun - Ps. 104:20-22
    2. But man begins his activities after sunrise from morning till evening
  2. It is his work - his activities which set him apart from beasts:
    1. The beast moves by instinct
    2. But man by the powers of reason B. "MAN GOETH FORTH UNTO HIS WORK AND TO HIS LABOR UNTIL EVENING"
  3. The attractiveness of work:
    1. The mere exercise of our powers gives us pleasure
    2. Work is a part of God's creation itself; He made the earth so that man could till and beautify it - Gen. 1:28
  4. The world in which we live has all the raw materials prepared at man's hand; but he is here to turn it into new and meaningful forms:
    1. God planted a garden
    2. Gut He directed man to work in it to beautify it - Gen. 2:8-15
  5. Man is in his very being, so constituted to be active; body, soul and spirit, to be healthy and happy:
    1. The members of our bodies must be exercised continually to be normal and productive; that is a law, a part of our being
    2. When any member of our bodies is incapable of contributing to the normal function of the body, we are in trouble; we begin to suffer pain
  6. Work is honorable:
    1. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, "This we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" - 2 Thess.. 3:10
    2. Work is a duty prescribed in the fourth commandment - Ex. 20:9
    3. Work creates incentives for life itself; it enriches us and our fellowmen - Prov. 31:13 C. REST, SWEET REST, AFTER LABOR IS TOO A PART OF MAN'S LIFE AND HAPPINESS
  7. That is the function of night:
    1. The night was made for man to cease from his work, to allow the members of his body to relax, to recuperate and to be renewed
    2. "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" - Eccl. 3:1
    3. Said Jesus to His disciples, "Come ye yourselves apart into the desert place, and rest awhile" - Mark 6:31
  8. Let us consider work or labor not only in the realm of material things, but, also in the realm of the spirit:
    1. The building of character for eternity - Phil. 3:13-16
    2. This is where many fail and are the losers in the end - Mat. 16:26
    3. This rest comes in all its fullness in the world to come - Matt. 25:34; Heb. 3:11; 5:4
  9. Rest is sweet:
    1. After a days labor and a realization of having been productive in our work
    2. This is true in every field of activity, when we lay down and realize that we were successful in our efforts, it makes our rest sweet
  10. How wise and glorious has God made everything for the benefit and happiness of man, created in His own image:
    1. He made the day for man to be active; to exercise his mental, moral and physical powers to bless and be blessed
    2. He made the night to safeguard the health of our bodies - to refresh and replenish the earth and all that is in it
    3. No wonder the Psalmist praises the Creator in words that bring joy to the heart - Said he, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge" - Ps. 19:1-2
    4. Let us resolve to look upon work as a blessing and upon rest as a means to enable us to bless us and others with our work


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