Get Some Rest

Daily Reading: Matthew 11

Scripture Focus: Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11.28-30)

Devotional Thought: Lana commented to me just a day or so ago: football will be starting back up in about 4 weeks! We love our college football. Go Mountaineers! Someone once defined football as 22 guys desperately needing rest, playing their hearts out in front of 50,000 people, desperately needing exercise.

We need both exercise and rest in life, don't we?

Jesus recognizes that life is filled with burdens, and he invites us to come to him, to lay down our burdens, and to find rest.

The work of life takes various forms, depending on the seasons and circumstances of our lives. Last week Emily, my middle daughter, had to 'work' through the night because Ellis, our baby granddaughter, got sick during the night. Being a parent is not easy! Another precious friend of mine is laboring under the burden of a past, filled with pain and abuse. Even though the past is covered by the blood, it has left scars, and she needs grace to work through feelings of abandonment and fear. I know another man who is struggling with a disability, and feeling isolated. The burden of being alone is sometimes overwhelming.

I could go on and on and on, but you get the picture. You understand. How do I know that? Because everyone has burdens to bear. Life can be hard work.

But, Jesus has a solution for that. When you are in the trenches and desperately need rest, come to him. He will take your burdens and carry them - and you!

Prayer: Jesus, I sometimes feel overwhelmed, and the burdens seem too heavy to bear. Remind me, O Lord, to come to you and find rest for my soul. I do not have to carry these burdens alone. Thank you!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 89.40-45

40 You have breached all his walls;

you have laid his strongholds in ruins.

41 All who pass by plunder him;

he has become the scorn of his neighbors.

42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;

you have made all his enemies rejoice.

43 You have also turned back the edge of his sword,

and you have not made him stand in battle.

44 You have made his splendor to cease

and cast his throne to the ground.

45 You have cut short the days of his youth;

you have covered him with shame. Selah