Finding Rest – Matthew 11:28
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Bone weary, heavy-laden, sagging under the load are those who, ignoring the Lord’s invitation to cast all our cares on Him,[1] carry their burdens themselves. Failing to depend on the Lord, worn down by their concerns, they shake and bend like saplings as problems and trails swirl around them, leaving them in imminent danger of snapping in the wind. When plans go awry and friends disappoint, their Utopian experiences with the Lord fade into doubts, disillusionment, and pain, leading them into a place of fear and darkness. Being spiritually unstable, they walk by sight, not faith, allowing the deficiencies of other people’s love and the struggles in life to consume their thoughts and steal their joy.
Conversely, happy are they who put their faith in the Lord. Understanding that their heavenly Father is always beside them, loving and protecting them, providing a way for them,[2] they do not sorrow excessively because of the lack of others’ love, tremble before their adversaries, nor crumble in the face of difficulties. Rather they accept their holy, honored status as the cherished children of the living God. They take the Lord’s outstretched hand, allowing Him to raise them above the storm to the heights of heaven where they will enter into the presence of the Holy of Holies.[3] Trusting in the immutable promise that God will bless them forever since they have called upon Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior,[4] they endure temporary hardship with deep-rooted joy and unfathomable peace.[5]
Choose to be happy in the Lord and to face trials with absolute trust in Him, for He chose you before He laid the foundations of the earth.[6] Seek Him and he will wrap His arms around you and welcome you, seating you beside His hearth where you can feast on the abundance in His house, rest in His steadfast love, and take refuge in His unfailing protection.[7] Walk with Jesus, not only as your Savior, but also as the Lord of your joys and sorrows, Lord of the details of your life, large and small.
Look up to the eternal heavens, and then look upon the transitory earth.[8] Set your heart on heaven. Reside in the holy place where Christ reigns supreme, in the place where His love will shield you from the winds of tribulation that knock down whomever they may blow upon except those standing within the eye of Jesus’ love.
Answer Jesus’ call to “Come to Me,” for when you dwell in the holy place where He resides, you will find rest for your soul.[9]
No more drought, no more thirst
Nor hunger never satisfied
No wasting in the barrenness
Where hate and dread abide
For rain poured down from heaven
To remove your stain and sin
Jesus called, you answered
And then you entered in
Into a lovely garden
Well watered is this place
Eternal springs are flowing
From the fount of grace
No more darkness, no more gloom
No more sadness and affliction
No more endless wandering
Without a hope, conviction
For the Sunrise from on high
Visited to shine
On those who sit in darkness
On those who fear would bind
A satisfied desire
A light that guides the way
The cords, the chains lay broken
“Come to Me,” the King did say
[1] 1 Peter 5:7
[2] Joshua 1:9
[3] Psalm 16:11
[4] Psalm 21:6
[5] Philippians 4:4-7
[6] Ephesians 1:4
[7] Psalm 36:7-8
[8] Isaiah 51:6
[9] Matthew 11:28-30
