Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
In our world today, busyness is strived for, even praised. We all have “to-do” lists that never seem to end. We like having a full schedule. Rest is not a priority. Although most do not make rest a priority, rest is, indeed, vital. In fact, Scripture commands us to take time to rest. When we rest, we are healthier people and able to fight against the enemy and his schemes against us. In order to experience these benefits, we have to take time to rest.
Elijah experienced the benefits of rest in 1 Kings 19. In this passage of Scripture, he was deeply depressed after fleeing from Jezebel, the queen of the Northern Kingdom of Israel who had threatened his life. When he escaped to the wilderness, he found a tree to sleep under. As he slept, an angel came to him and told him to eat (verse 5). After eating and drinking, he slept again until the angel of the Lord came again and woke him up to eat and drink (verse 7). The food and drink were not the only things necessary to revive Elijah. The rest revived Elijah, too, in the midst of his desperation.
Regardless of what we are facing, from joys to sorrows and everything in between, we need rest. Even more than physical rest, we need spiritual rest. Only Christ can offer this kind of rest. Jesus said in Matthew 11, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (verses 28-29). When we turn to Christ by reading Scripture or praying, we find rest for our souls. This kind of rest will sustain us through everything we face.
In the midst of the chaos of the day and the difficulties we face, we must take time to rest. Yes, we must physically rest, but we must also spiritually rest. Will you turn to Him for your rest today?
Take some time to rest in Christ today. What brings you the most rest? Do you find rest by going for a long walk, praying, reading Scripture, or listening to your favorite worship song? However you find rest, take at least 15 minutes to rest today. When you do, you will find peace and restoration for your soul in the midst of a busy and chaotic world.
Matthew 11:25-30
25 At that time Jesus prayed this prayer: “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. 26 Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way!
27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
©2024 Sagebrush Church
