xxxii. 2. _As the shadow of a great rock in a weary land._
This chapter begins with a prophecy of the Messiah, and of the
happiness which the godly should enjoy under His reign (ver. 1). True
as well as beautiful are its descriptions of Christ.
+I. To the children of God this world is often "a weary land."+
1. _Because of the labours they have to undergo._ This is a laborious
world (Eccles. i. 8). Employment is in itself a blessing; it was
provided for man in Eden; but every day the sun sets upon millions
who are faint and weary, who are overwrought, and for whom there will
be no sufficient rest until they lie down in the grave. To God's
children it is a special cause of weariness that they are compelled
to devote so much time in labouring for "the meat which perisheth,"
and that they have so little time for meditation and for communion
with God. 2. _Because of the troubles to which they are exposed_ (Job
v. 7). Troubles attend every stage and condition of life. They are
national, domestic, personal. The pains and evils of life commonly
increase as its length is protracted. And there is nothing more
wearisome than troubles. Many who can endure labour cannot endure
trouble. This makes the heart stoop, and weakens the mind as well as
the body. A troublesome world must be a wearisome world. 3. _Because
of the perplexities by which they are harassed._ This is a dark
world. What is past, what is present, as well as what is to come,
lies involved in darkness. Life is full of mystery. Strange and
unexpected events are constantly happening, which disappoint the
hopes and frustrate the designs of the wisest. Providence often
baffles the interpretation and tries the faith even of the most
devout. Wickedness is often triumphant, and virtue trampled under
foot. Good men are often tired of living in a world which subjects
them to continual anxiety and suspense. 4. _Because of the sin by
which they are surrounded._ The moral atmosphere in which they live
is uncongenial. The practices and principles with which they are
daily brought into contact fill them with disgust, with indignation,
and with grief (2 Pet. ii. 7, 8; Ps. cxix. 139, 156, 158; Acts
xvii. 16; Ezek. ix. 4).
+II. Whensoever God's children are weary of the world, they may find
comfort in Christ.+ They may always find comfort. 1. _In the
compassion of Christ._ He knows what it is to be faint and weary. He
knows the heart of a pilgrim and stranger. And He has the tenderest
compassion for His friends in distress or want. He is as pitiful
to-day as He was when He tabernacled on earth. He feels all that His
followers feel (Acts ix. 2; Heb. iv. 14-16). 2. _In the intercession
of Christ._ As He prayed for Peter (Luke xii. 32) and for all His
disciples before His crucifixion (John xvii.), so He still makes
intercession for His followers according to their necessities. And
His intercession is always prevalent (John xi. 42). 3. _In the
strength of Christ._ Weakness is the cause of weariness, and the
weary may always find the strength they want in Christ (Phil. iv. 13;
2 Cor. xii. 7-10). 4. _In the government of Christ._ He has promised
to give them peace even in this world (John xiv. 27; xvi. 33; xiv. 2,
3). These are great and precious promises, because they are sure
promises.
APPLICATION.--Since the friends of Christ, when they are weary of the
world, may always find comfort in Him--1. _They should not regard the
things which make them weary of it as curses but as blessings._ It is
a good thing to have our hold of the world loosened. It is a good
thing to be driven to Christ. All their trials and sufferings are
suited to prepare them to enjoy more peace and rest in Christ, than
they could otherwise enjoy. When a man finds a covert in a great
storm, he finds more pleasure in it than he does on a fine fair day.
So Christians enjoy more real satisfaction and happiness in adversity
than in prosperity, because while prosperity leads them to the
enjoyment of the world, adversity leads to the enjoyment of Christ.
2. _They enjoy more happiness even in this life than sinners do._
Sinners often seem happier than saints, but theirs is a loud and
transient mirth, whereas God's people have a deep and lasting joy.
Autumn is oftener a pleasanter season than spring, but it deepens
into the gloom and vigour of winter; whereas after the storms of
March and the rain of April come the bright joyous days of summer.
The life of the sinner is at best an autumn life, with autumn
prospects, but the life of God's children is a spring life. And even
here and now they (and they only) are filled with that peace of God
which passeth all understanding, affords joy in sorrow, and gives
rest to the weary. 3. _They ought never to be heard murmuring or
complaining under any troubles or afflictions in which they may be
involved._ This world is full of murmuring; and when God's people
complain, it is highly offensive to God (Ps. cvi. 25, 26). But why
should they complain? (Heb. xii. 11). And they have a present refuge,
even Christ, in whom they may find "strong consolation." 4. _They
ought never to be found depressed with anxiety as to the future_
(Phil. iv. 6, 7).--_Dr. Emmons: Works,_ vol. iii. 352-365.