Homilist Isaiah 57:10 You are wearied in the greatness of your way; yet said you not, There is no hope: you have found the life of your hand… The text is a striking representation of the sinner's conduct in fruitless efforts to obtain happiness anywhere but from heaven. He wanders from object to object, he becomes weary in his pursuit, yet he will not abandon it. I. HE PURSUES A WEARISOME COURSE. Nothing is so wearisome as fruitless efforts for happiness. 1. The sensual course for happiness is a wearisome one. The voluptuary and the debauchee very soon show exhaustion. 2. The secular course for happiness is a wearisome one. He who seeks happiness in the pursuit of gain will soon find it wearisome. 3. The intellectual course for happiness is a wearisome one. He who looks for true happiness in study and research will soon find it a weariness. 4. The superstitious course is a wearisome one. Millions are sinking into religious superstition — pilgrimages, penances, prayers, and devotional routine. What millions are found wearied in this path! II. THOUGH THE COURSE IS WEARISOME HE PERSEVERES. "Yet saidst thou not, There is no hope." Although Israel was wearied in seeking foreign help, still it continued; so with the sinner. To persevere in these wearisome methods for happiness is very foolish. 1. Because they will never become easier than they are. On the contrary, he who pursues these methods of happiness will become more and more weary on his way. 2. Because there is a pleasant way to true happiness. What is that? The loving surrender of your nature to God. The religious way to happiness is pleasant, because — (1) It is worthy of your nature. (2) Agreeable to your conscience. (3) Promising to your hope.Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace. How suited is the invitation of Christ to the wearied millions of earth who are seeking for happiness in wrong directions: "Come unto Me, all ye," etc. (Homilist.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. |
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