Through the Refining Fires of Affliction to the New Life of Spiritual Spring:
REST, VESSEL. ~ “Requies, Vas.” ~ A VESSEL RESTS.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 10, 2023
Such long labors can hardly be explained
Stanza 18, Lines 1-2
Or understood by others-easy to blame!
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15:58
A New Creation
“For I will create a new heaven and a new earth;
the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.
Then be glad and rejoice forever
in what I am creating;
for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy
and its people to be a delight.
I will rejoice in Jerusalem
and be glad in My people.
The sound of weeping and crying
will no longer be heard in her. Isaiah 65:17-19
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven
and do not return there
without saturating the earth
and making it germinate and sprout,
and providing seed to sow
and food to eat,
so My word that comes from My mouth
will not return to Me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please
and will prosper in what I send it to do.” Isaiah 55:10-11
Laboring in full surrender to the Spirit’s work will require a firm stance no matter the consequence. Yes, the Christian’s work in the Lord “must be fully active”. The Lord Jesus Christ is our victory over “fallible human thoughts and plans”. “We can remember the promise that when God creates the new heavens and new earth, His people will enjoy the fruits of their toil, and see that their efforts were never ‘in vain’” Further, God’s Word “governs history and never returns without accomplishing God’s sovereign purposes”. (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: I Corinthians 15:58; Isaiah 55:10-11)
But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. John 2:24-25
Future Recovery of Wisdom
Is it not yet a very little while
Till Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field,
And the fruitful field be esteemed as a forest?
In that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book,
And the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity and out of darkness.
The humble also shall increase their joy in the Lord,
And the poor among men shall rejoice
In the Holy One of Israel.
For the terrible one is brought to nothing,
The scornful one is consumed,
And all who watch for iniquity are cut off—
Who make a man an offender by a word,
And lay a snare for him who reproves in the gate,
And turn aside the just by empty words. Isaiah 29:17-21
The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will come through trouble.
A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
And the recompense of a man’s hands will be rendered to him.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But he who heeds counsel is wise.
A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.
Proverbs 12:12-16
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Psalm 37:7
Even as Jesus did not yield to the thoughts of men, we must trust and rely on divine omniscience, the supernatural knowledge of God, at work within us. Godly reproof of falsehood and bearing true witness silence the foolish schemes of those who do not seek understanding but only blame: they “react too strongly and too soon, destroying relationships [in contrast with] the wise person [who] leaves the way open for reconciliation.” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Proverbs 12:16) No matter the circumstance, we are to rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, and not fret because of the man who prospers and brings wicked schemes to pass.
Such long labors can hardly be explained
Or understood by others-easy to blame!
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 9, 2023
This child of God with the real conscience clean,
Stanza 17, Lines 1-2
Though zealously practiced sought to redeem
The Light of Christ’s Gospel
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 4:1-6
“Just as God’s original creative word made light where there was not light, so now God’s creative word gives spiritual life and understanding of the gospel where previously there was none.” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: 2 Corinthians 4:6) The child of God bears witness of this light by his clean conscience as a bondservant of Christ Jesus, one who has received His mercy and truth.
Behave Like a Christian
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Romans 12:9-11
Longing to See Them
But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.
I Thessalonians 2:17-19
Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “affection” in these two ways: One- The state of being affected; and, Two, In a more particular sense, a settle good will, love or zealous (from the Greek zēlos: “a noble passion”) attachment; as, the affection of a parent for his child. The English word “affection” comes from the Latin verb afficere-“to influence”. “The Christian’s loving behavior should not be playing a part or wearing a mask, but an authentic expression of goodwill…There must be no hesitation or sloth in Christian living…The Christian should be “fervent” (“ardent; very warm; earnest; excited; animated; glowing; as fervent zeal; fervent piety”–Noah Webster 1828), living for Christ with enthusiasm and energy.” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Romans 12:9-13) Paul’s fervency of spirit toward his beloved spiritual children is consistent throughout His epistles as conveyed by his imagery of family and terms of endearment in his great desire to reunite with those who matured under his ministry—the redeemed.
This child of God with the real conscience clean,
Though zealously practiced sought to redeem…
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 8, 2023
The vessel broke open: word-flooding cries,
Stanza 16, Lines 3-4
Sneering, jeering in a conscience’s disguise.
Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
Psalm 119:115-117
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21
Holiness in everyday life is to be the pursuit of every believer! We are to be broken and poured out for our Master’s use as vessels of honor. “Our holy security is grounded on Divine supports.” (Matthew Henry Commentary: Psalm 119:113-120) God’s upholds by His Word, sustaining our hope and safety, even when evildoers seek to shame and blame us.
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me:
for I do not forget thy law. Psalm 119:153
Israel’s Rejection and God’s Justice
What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.
You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?
What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
As He says also in Hosea:
“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
“And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.” Romans 9:14-26
God certainly delivers His children from all of their fears, the sneering and jeering disguises of the enemy, and is faithful in the afflictions He allows, fortifying our will to know and obey His Word. “The closer we cleave to the word of God, both as our rule and as our stay, the more assurance we have of deliverance…Our obedience is only pleasing to God, and pleasant to ourselves, when it comes from a principle of love. All, in every age, who receive God’s word in faith and love, find every saying in it faithful.” (Matthew Henry Commentary: Psalm 119:113-120) As the Potter, God shows His mercy and power and makes known the riches of His glory in whatever way He chooses to fashion His vessels of mercy, the sons of the living God.
The vessel broke open: word-flooding cries,
Sneering, jeering in a conscience’s disguise.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 7, 2023
At first it was simple, easy, and light.
Stanza 16, Lines 1-2
As it grew nearer, the heart grew affright,
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
“Jesus invites the weary to find rest and refreshment in Him. He does not extend His invitation to those who are naturally intelligent but to little children, not to the strong but to the weary and heavy-laden…([Jesus] is the incarnate wisdom of God)…the yoke of Jesus, while demanding, is ‘easy’ because it is from one who is ‘gentle and lowly in heart’. He has fulfilled the law’s rightward demands perfectly for His people, and His Spirit empowers their grateful obedience. Therefore, He alone can provide true rest for the soul.” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30) Just as a young ox is yoked to a more experienced ox for training and guidance, so is the student discipled by the teacher yoked to Christ, facilitating the growing process: simple, easy, and light!
But I am a worm, and no man;
A reproach of men, and despised by the people.
All those who see Me ridicule Me;
They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
“He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him;
Let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!”
But You are He who took Me out of the womb;
You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts.
I was cast upon You from birth.
From My mother’s womb
You have been My God.
Be not far from Me,
For trouble is near;
For there is none to help. Psalm 22:6-10
Both physiological and spiritual factors contribute to the trouble of a man’s soul, causing the heart to grow affright. Yet, the mere complaint of a heart “pressed down, overwhelmed with grief and terror…is a sign of spiritual life, and spiritual senses exercised.” When trouble is near, even in “the abject state to which [we are] reduced”, our zeal and love for Christ, and declaration of His holiness, assure us that He is not far from us! (Matthew Henry Commentary: Psalm 22)
At first it was simple, easy, and light.
As it grew nearer, the heart grew affright,
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 6, 2023
To uncover a need understood well,
Stanza 15, Lines 3-4
Familiar language…sought to bear the fell.
‘Therefore all those who devour you shall be devoured;
And all your adversaries, every one of them, shall go into captivity;
Those who plunder you shall become plunder,
And all who prey upon you I will make a prey.
For I will restore health to you
And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord,
‘Because they called you an outcast saying:
“This is Zion; No one seeks her.” ’
Jeremiah 30:16-17
Ointment and perfume delight the heart,
And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel…
As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man.
Proverbs 27:9, 19, 27
By God’s grace and sanctifying Spirit, after delivering us from our oppressors, He restores His beloved to health and heals our wounds. By God’s lovingkindness, when one man’s heart, character, and needs are revealed in a well understood manner to another, the two friends may counsel, comfort, and sharpen one another.
Excellence of the Restored Nation
Moreover the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, “Thus says the Lord who made it, the Lord who formed it to establish it (the Lord is His name): ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
“For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city and the houses of the kings of Judah, which have been pulled down to fortify against the siege mounds and the sword: ‘They come to fight with the Chaldeans, but only to fill their places with the dead bodies of men whom I will slay in My anger and My fury, all for whose wickedness I have hidden My face from this city. Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth. And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.’
“Thus says the Lord: ‘Again there shall be heard in this place—of which you say, “It is desolate, without man and without beast”—in the cities of Judah, in the streets of Jerusalem that are desolate, without man and without inhabitant and without beast, the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who will say:
“Praise the Lord of hosts,
For the Lord is good,
For His mercy endures forever”—and of those who will bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause the captives of the land to return as at the first,’ says the Lord.
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In this place which is desolate, without man and without beast, and in all its cities, there shall again be a dwelling place of shepherds causing their flocks to lie down. In the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, in the cities of the South, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, and in the cities of Judah, the flocks shall again pass under the hands of him who counts them,’ says the Lord.
‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah:
‘In those days and at that time
I will cause to grow up to David
A Branch of righteousness;
He shall execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In those days Judah will be saved,
And Jerusalem will dwell safely.
And this is the name by which she will be called:
THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’ Jeremiah 33:1-16
In the midst of earthly assault, losses, captivity, and grief—familiar language—we can call to God on our own behalf and on behalf of others! He will answer us and show us great, unsearchable, mighty, hidden things we do not yet know. His judgment, peace, truth, joy, praise, honor, goodness, redemption, salvation, righteousness, and glory will be revealed. God will rebuild His people and restore them to safety.
To uncover a need understood well,
Familiar language…sought to bear the fell.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 5, 2023
Ready to puncture and twist victories
Stanza 13, Lines 1-2
He lurks in the shadows; he aims to grieve.
Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Psalm 119:21-22
Job Reproaches His Pitiless Friends
1 Then Job answered and said:
2 “I have heard many such things;
Miserable comforters are you all!
3 Shall words of wind have an end?
Or what provokes you that you answer?
4 I also could speak as you do,
If your soul were in my soul’s place.
I could heap up words against you,
And shake my head at you;
5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth,
And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.
6 Though I speak, my grief is not relieved;
And if I remain silent, how am I eased?
7 But now He has worn me out;
You have made desolate all my company.
8 You have shriveled me up,
And it is a witness against me;
My leanness rises up against me
And bears witness to my face.
9 He tears me in His wrath, and hates me;
He gnashes at me with His teeth;
My adversary sharpens His gaze on me.
10 They gape at me with their mouth,
They strike me reproachfully on the cheek,
They gather together against me.
11 God has delivered me to the ungodly,
And turned me over to the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, but He has shattered me;
He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces;
He has set me up for His target,
13 His archers surround me.
He pierces my heart and does not pity;
He pours out my gall on the ground.
14 He breaks me with wound upon wound;
He runs at me like a warrior.
15 I have sewn sackcloth over my skin,
And laid my head in the dust.
16 My face is flushed from weeping,
And on my eyelids is the shadow of death;
17 Although no violence is in my hands,
And my prayer is pure.
18 O earth, do not cover my blood,
And let my cry have no resting place!
19 Surely even now my witness is in heaven,
And my evidence is on high.
20 My friends scorn me;
My eyes pour out tears to God.
21 Oh, that one might plead for a man with God,
As a man pleads for his neighbor!
22 For when a few years are finished,
I shall go the way of no return.” Job 16
God provides grace for His Beloved in the face of mean opinions and distress: shamed, despised, and disgraced. For example, when Job’s “friends”, “who have not provided support for Job but have only increased his trouble and anxiety because they have failed to connect with the specific facts of his situation”…and have… “openly accused him of sin, of which he needs to repent,…Job cannot do what they urge and maintains his integrity because he does not know of any sin to be confessed…” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Job 16 and 22). In the same way, when our adversary falsely accuses and condemns us, twisting victories, Jesus, our Advocate, defends us.
My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Psalm 119:28 6
6 But He has made me a byword of the people,
And I have become one in whose face men spit.
7 My eye has also grown dim because of sorrow,
And all my members are like shadows.
8 Upright men are astonished at this,
And the innocent stirs himself up against the hypocrite.
9 Yet the righteous will hold to his way,
And he who has clean hands will be stronger and stronger.
Job 17:6-9
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. Psalm 27:1-3
When troubles’ heaviness weigh on every side, melting the mind, body, and soul, God’s Word predominates. “The enemy seeks the physical harm of [God’s children]”: When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. “[Eat up my flesh] also has a figurative meaning “to slander me”. (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Job 27:2) Even when multitudinous enemies aim to grieve the righteous from the shadows, the Lord’s confidence will strengthen us!
Ready to puncture and twist victories
He lurks in the shadows; he aims to grieve.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 4, 2023
To see a need, and the more grave it be
Stanza 12, Lines 3-4
Sharpens the arrows of our enemy.
Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. Psalm 119:157
When a minister of the gospel closely identifies with the wound of another, he or she will contend with many persecutors and enemies, both seen and unseen. Yet, the ministers true will prevail in acting upon what we see as did the Psalmist: “Our heart has not turned back, Nor have our steps departed from Your way…” Psalm 44:18
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
Psalm 91:5-6
Every day of Christian service must be approached as service on the battlefield with Christ as the Victor over the fiery darts of our adversary!
To see a need, and the more grave it be
Sharpens the arrows of our enemy.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 3, 2023
Now here’s the treading on dangerous ground.
Stanza 12, Lines 1-2
Do not draw too near; great dread will be found.
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. Psalm 27:12
Fierce witnesses rise up;
They ask me things that I do not know. Psalm 35:11
The circulation of false reports is cruel, harmful intent against a defendant and thus condemned in Scripture. Any attempt to penetrate the heart with God’s truth is dangerous ground that will be fiercely opposed and condemned, yet God’s Word does not return void.
Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. Psalm 25:19-20
We must realistically and soberly prepare for the violent hatred of attackers within and without as we draw near dread in our ministry assignments.
Now here’s the treading on dangerous ground.
Do not draw too near; great dread will be found.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 2, 2023
The one dispensing the medicine true,
Stanza 13, Lines 3-4
The proper dose that each patient is due.
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22
He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:20
The joyful dispensing of God’s Word is the true medicine for a crushed spirit in the clinches of destruction. “God acts toward us with deeds interpreted by His word.” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Proverbs 12:25)
Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
A sound heart is life to the body,
But envy is rottenness to the bones. Proverbs 14:30
A patient is defined as “A person or thing that receive(s) impressions from external agents; he or that which is passively affected.” To some degree then, students are patients. Dose is defined as “As much as a man can swallow.” “A common human experience: frustrated expectations cause a loss of morale and a sense of hopelessness…The ancients recognized the link between mental and spiritual tranquility and physical health.” (Reformation Study Bible Commentary: Proverbs 13:12 and 14:30). Thus, the Christian teacher must discern the “proper dose each patient is due” to help cure hopelessness and restore integrated health.
The one dispensing the medicine true,
The proper dose that each patient is due.
“A Vessel Rests”
-CJW April 2022
May 1, 2023
No, broken and poured out to minister—
Stanza 20, Lines 1-2
The Word of Reconciliation heard.