“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt 11: 28) These words spoken by Jesus are a comforting and encouraging invitation to us all to lay our burdens at His feet and experience His peace, His refreshing and His revitalization. He continues in verse 29 by saying “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.” The soothing words of our Saviour go directly to the point ….. it is all about the soul. And it is this soul peace that only He can provide which is what we so desperately need for all elements of our existence (physical, mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual.)
In this current world situation, we have been enduring some fiery trials that have impacted, sometimes negatively, all of those elements. Whether it’s dealing with the effects of this virus, the passing of a loved one, concern over being laid off from work, anxieties over child care, mounting debt and lack of funds, feelings of inadequacy because of the limitation or inability to help someone in need or any of a thousand issues that come up in this life that weigh us down like a ton of bricks. This is where we come face-to-face with our humanity, the realization of our own mortality. We were not intended to bear sustained periods of stress that overwhelm our individual ability to effectively cope with our environment. Therefore we may sometimes “short-circuit” and manifest the effects of our frustration and exhaustion.
In these pressure-packed times, beloved ones, remember that God’s Word says “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2Cor 4: 7-9) Jesus knows what we are going through. As it is written, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb 4: 15) The Lord created us and knows our frame, that we are dust. But He loves this dust that He created and though weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. The Lord God Almighty has provided an escape for His people from the seasons of assault we are periodically subjected to.
Therefore dear ones, “cast all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.” (1Pet 5:7) Humbly submit all your thoughts and ways to the Lord and “When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.” (Prov 3: 24) Our Lord will sustain, protect and provide for us as we travel His holy highway to the ultimate place of rest that has been prepared for us. A place where all the limitations and frustrations of humanity are not allowed. A place where there is no need for vaccinations, no bypasses, no inhalers, no insulin, no crutches, no eyeglasses, no therapy, no interviews, no tears, no pain, no crying, no death. But a place of perfect peace, righteousness and joy in the glorious presence of God and the Lamb.
And so, by faith, as we undergo taxing trials while traversing this terrestrial globe in this temporal plane, we know and believe that, through it all, God is able to lead us to rest.
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