Covenanter Witness Vol. 86 - Rparchives.org

The Rest We NeedThe Rev. Joel H. Nederhood, D.D.Radio Minister, Christian Reformed ChurchOne of the primary rules for finding lost things isthat you first empty your mind of any preconceived ideas.One of the main causes for failing to find something youare looking for is that you have a certain preconceivedidea about what it must look like or about where it mustbe.This simple rule applies, too, when you look forwhat is wrong with our world. We must also get rid ofpreconceived ideas when we look for what is wrong withour lives. For when we start looking around for answers tosome of our deepest uncertainties, we also tend to do ourlooking with certain preconceived ideas in our minds.Today, for example, when high taxes keep rocking us backon our heels and inflation continues its upward spiral andthe general world situation seems to be getting worseinstead of better, we tend to think that the trouble must liesomewhere in Washington, or Paris, or Hanoi, or London,or Moscow. We are quite sure that many of our ownpersonal problems must somehow be related to the factthat some of the important people in our world arebungling things up so badly. Everyone assumes this, andour mass media support this assumption by reporting thegreat events that happen on high levels. When we look forreasons why so many things are going wrong in our world,we look only in certain places, and then, at only certainpeople.If you are willing to admit that the cause of much ofwhat is wrong with our lives and what is wrong in ourworld just might be caused by something very few of ushave ever thought of, I have something that will interestyou, I think. On the other hand, if you insist that the onlyplace to look if we want to know the source of ourtroubles is at our leaders and at economic systems andpolitical systems, you might as well not listen to what Ihave to say. But if you are willing to admit that the causejust might well lie in some unexpected place, and be aquite unexpected matter, there is something I think weshould consider. It is found in the Bible, that highlyrespected, but universally ignored book. What is more, itis found in that part of the Bible we often call the TenCommandments, and that is a part of the Bible men havenot shown very much interest in lately. What is more, it isthe fourth commandment that provides a clue to what iswrong with our times, and that makes this thing I want tobring up, about the last thing anyone is thinking about. Itis due to our own hard work and our own hard play. Ourhappiness depends upon God, first, last, and always. Hewill take care of us.This is why those who insist that Sabbath is their dayto do with as they please become people who are nervousand desperate when it comes to their own welfare.Because they think their welfare depends upon theirefforts, they become selfish, and, if they can get away withit, they will resort to dishonesty in order to insure theirown economic well-being. So then, today the great nationsof the world are in economic difficulty. In many of themwelfare roles are swelling and there is corruption andcrime. In many instances business practices are designedto enrich business people with no regard to providing areal service to society. Thus, the attitudes that makepeople forget God's holy day finally pervert all of humanlife and sow injustice everywhere.When it comes right down to it, we should knowbetter than to put our trust in our own efforts for our ownsalvation and well-being. We all know that no matter howhard we try, we are not going to be able to escape tragedyand disappointment. As the saying goes, "We will not getout of this world alive." Furthermore, we not only knowour own limitations better now than ever before, but wehave a revelation of God's sufficiency that is overwhelming.When God gave the Israelites the commandmentabout the day of rest, He reminded them of Hisgreat work of creation. Now, in addition to God's creativework, we know of His salvation work in Jesus Christ Hisonly begotten Son. The Creator God is also the SaviorGod in Jesus, and there is absolutely no reason to doubtthat He will take care of them throughout this life. "Cometo me, all who labor and are heavyladen, and I will giveyou rest" (Matthew 11:28). And Jesus promises eternal lifeto all those who believe in Him. He said, "For this is thewill of my Father, that every one who sees the Son andbelieves in Him should have eternal life; and I will raisehim up at the last day." (John 6:40)Now that God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ,it is so foolish to go on living as if everything dependedupon our efforts and you couldn't possibly take time to seta day aside each week for worship and for rest from yourordinary work and your ordinary play. But men keepsaying that the day of rest is their day to use as they please.Why, in some cases churches are willing to rescheduletheir services so that the people can have the entireSabbath to pursue their own pleasure. How utterlyridiculous!When most everybody today is desecrating the dayof the Lord and using it for his own selfish purposes, it isno wonder really that there is such a breakdown of basichuman qualities like love and compassion and fairness. Ifyou are forgetting to keep the Lord's rest day, it is nowonder really that life seems so flat and tasteless anddisappointing to you.What more can you expect? If youSee Page 16J UNE 23, 1971