Morning Thoughts - by Elder Philip Conley

Morning Thoughts

Ruth 3:18, "Then said she, Sit still, my daughter until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day."

This morning, there is much spoken of in regards to rest, whether it is good or bad, and how a child of God should approach rest. Boaz is mentioned in this account by Naomi as one who would not rest until he had accomplished his task of redeeming Naomi and Ruth from the curse of their condition of widowhood. The reason that he would not rest is that it required attention, and it would be impossible for him to rest properly until he had fulfilled this task and responsibility.

Boaz in this account is a type and shadow of Jesus Christ. Christ came to redeem us from the curse of the law and made himself of no reputation to do it. He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Boaz was a man who was going to redeem a stranger (Ruth - Moabitess), and this was considered unclean by the Israelites. Our Lord redeemed us who were marred with uncleanness by sin and had death in all of our members. Our Lord, however, did not rest until He had fulfilled His task.

Now, He is sitting at the right hand of the throne of God. The fact that He sits is evidence to us that He has fulfilled and accomplished what He came to do. Because He lives, we live also. Because He has rested from His work (of eternal salvation), we can rest also. He tells us that He will give us rest by doing work. If we take His yoke upon us, He will give us rest. That seems curious until one realizes that He is talking about timely vs. eternal things. When one labours in the Lord's vineyard to add virtue, knowledge, temperance, brotherly kindness, and charity to their faith, it is a burden and sweet labour of love.

However, it is a great rest to the child of God to know that Jesus Christ FINISHED the work of redemption for us, and we have no work to do for ourselves or others to somehow attain heaven and immortal glory. Oh what a rest that is to have! Because He has rested and is sitting from that work, we have been made to sit with Him in heavenly places. Thank Him that He did not rest until He had done all things for us. Speed that blessed day when He tells the Father, "Behold I and the children which God hath given me." (Hebrews 2:13)

In Hope,

Bro Philip