Rest

At this time of year, we often hear that people need a break from their hard work. They need a vacation to rest and relax. Many people seek rest, which is understandable considering the stressful time in which we live. The cares of daily life (things which we are allowed to do or must do) absorb most of our time. Even during the night, some are still “busy” with their work.

In our text we read of a man who wanted rest. He was blessed with a great harvest and did not know where to store it all. His existing barns were too small to hold everything. He contemplated on what to do to remedy the situation and decided on two things. First, he was going to tear down the old barns and build much larger barns. Second, he was going to rest. He had so much that he could sell some each year and live from the income. While taking a long rest he would eat, drink, and be merry. He would be relieved from all of his stressful worries for many years. It is true that when one must make a very important decision in life, he should not do it rashly. Jesus mentioned in Luke 14:28, “For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” There is nothing wrong with building a larger warehouse when circumstances require it.

Yet, God called the man in our text a fool who thought he would decide when he would rest. God decided when and how long that the man would use the goods given to him from God’s hand. In fact, he never got to see any prosperity. He never even started building those barns because, in the next night, God took his soul, and he had to cross over the river of death all alone. The multitude of his goods could not help him when he had to give an account before God.

By now, many people have already made vacation plans. Like the builder of the tower in Luke 14 they have calculated the cost. The vacation would be expensive, but they could just afford it. They planned to go for a week or two of rest with some eating, drinking, and having fun. It would not be in excess, but they hoped to use this time to “recharge their batteries.” If the trip is to a place somewhat farther away where no one knows them, they can live a little different from the way they normally do. When they go to God’s house, they wear their street clothes. Reading the Bible and morning and evening prayers are often conducted more casually in a different environment. Prayers before or after meals in restaurants are often hasty or forgotten. Reader, if you can relate to some of the things listed

Reader, if you can relate to some of the things listed above, remember that God said to the man in the parable, “Thou fool.” This does not mean that you are not allowed to take a vacation to rest. However, even on your vacation you show the world what is most important in your life.

There are also parents who are concerned about their teenaged children going on vacation with a group because they fear that their children will want to try to be like other teenagers. Sadly, parents cannot be everywhere, especially in our days. The man in this parable did not seek God when he conceived his plan. “He thought within himself…” (verse 17) and the fruit of it was a sudden death.

Dear readers, both young and old, I sincerely hope you will take the above message to heart. At any moment, no matter where we are, we may be summoned before the judgment seat of Christ so that we may receive the things in our body, according to what we have done whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). We will carry away nothing good. This is different only if we have received life-renewing grace. If anyone carries away anything good, it is only because of the work of Zion’s King who came from heaven for evil ones, wicked ones, harlots, and publicans. Jesus paid their debt and satisfied God’s justice. Only through Jesus’ works and merits is it possible to have any “good work” in man. Jesus initiated this good work, and He will also finish it.

By grace, knowledge of this good work in our life will give us rest during vacation weeks, either away or at home. Then there will not be a desire to “eat, drink, and be merry.” Our desire will be for quietness and undisturbed communion with God.

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