God, the Rest of the soul.
Text is addressed to those who have already known God as their Rest. Before we can return, we must have turned to God. But arguments for the one are the same as for the other. Hence let believers take the text as it stands; let others read it as if it were "turn" instead of return. It teaches—
I. THERE IS A REST FOR THE SOUL—GOD. He is so by virtue of his atonement, his Spirit, his Word. And this for the individual soul.
II. BUT WE FOOLISHLY LEAVE THAT REST. By neglect of communion. By unbelief. By disobedience.
III. NEVERTHELESS, WE ARE BIDDEN RETURN. We do so as we first of all turned to him—in penitence and prayer and trust.
IV. WE HAVE A MIGHTY ARGUMENT FOR THIS. "He hath dealt bountifully with thee." Thus he meets us.
V. WE MUST EACH DO THIS FOR OURSELVES. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul!"
VI. HE IS CERTAIN TO RECEIVE US.—S.C.