T here is an interesting series of illus trations in the Bible concerning, of all things, “bedsteads.” Now, if our loving Lord takes the trouble, time and space to record such little insignificant things, you may be sure that there are some very profitable lessons for us. A short obituary of a great king is recorded in Deuteronomy 3:11. Most of the record, however, is not so much about the king as it is about his bed. The Bible says it was made of iron, was very large, and was down among the Ammonites. How would you like to have on your tombstone that «you left a bedstead? Og, the king of Bashan, was the last of the remnant of the giants. Og was a giant and needed a large bed. The size was about seven by sixteen feet. He was a heavy man, so he needed a strong bed. Evidently he was a restless man for he needed a wide bed. He was a self-centered man, so he provided a bed for his own personal use. In the bedstead is the picture of* this man’s life. He persecuted God’s people, Israel, and despised God’s law. So thé Holy Spirit, through Moses, selected the bed stead as the subject of a sermon con cerning a man who shut out God. Re member, the Lord puts down for what you live. How can anyone expect to go and live with God who doesn’t care to walk with Him down here? Another bed is mentioned in Isaiah 28:20. Here we read of a bed too short for a man and covers too narrow to wrap him up sufficiently. The bed is used to show how utterly insufficient are all of human experiences to satisfy man’s desires. The God who made the heart is the only One who can satisfy it. You may make a bed of ease for yourself, however, God must be the pil
low or tears will cover it before you are finished. God Himself must clothe us with His righteousness. The Lord Jesus said, “Come imto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” I met a woman one time who had gone to a certain re ligious group for Over 50 years. She went day and night, rain or shine, snow or ice. I said to her, “Have you found anything yet to satisfy your heart?” With a sad look in response, she answered, “No, but I hope I may some day.” I reminded her, “Dear wo man, that’s the way it is with all hu man religions; you will not find in the conceptions of man the thing that meets the heart’s need.” How real this truth is! In PSalm 41:3 we read, “Thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.” An other translation has it, “Thou wilt smooth out all the wrinkles in his bed when he is sick.” This refers to those who care for the poor. Does God notice wrinkles in beds and the discomforts which such little things cause? Yes, He certainly does especially when it concerns the peace, comfort and happi ness of one of His children. Peter is quoted in Acts 9:34 as say ing, “Arise and make thy bed.” The man to whom he spoke had been in bed 8 years. Following such an illness, it would be no easy matter to make a bed. One of the signs the man had real ly been healed would be that he could smooth out the bed covers and tuck in the corners properly. Christians, too, are supposed to be neat and clean, as well as orderly! May we not be too proud to serve in a menial manner for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. For whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. 30
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