“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28, HCSB
God is our source of life, peace, and rest. In Christ and His commands, we find He is reaching to us by the Holy Spirit and through the Bible and the Church to find this life, peace, and rest.
Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
Galatians 6:9, CSB
God moves in His own time, so may we remember His patience as we struggle through this life, living as Christ did and loving others with the Word of God and acts of kindness while we await Christ’s return.
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28, ESV
God created us, and He called us to a standard that is impossible to meet. Yet, He has made a way for us and helps us through the Holy Spirit. And He will help us without any weakness or need for breaks.
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31, ESV
We await the second advent of our Lord, and when He comes we shall meet Him on the clouds. This hope carries us ever forward, bringing as many along in faith as we are able by Hos power.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9, ESV
We live in a world that promotes selfishness and retribution, denying the truth of God’s Word. May we live as Christ: sacrificially loving others and doing what God has called us to do.
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31, ESV
Our God sustains us and fuels us by His Spirit.
Wait on God patiently. Trust Him in all things. He may not move on our time, but He holds us in His hands throughout.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
MATTHEW 11:28, NASB
The Great Physician has healed our souls and can give rest to our spirit. Should we not invite others to worship him and discover this healing and rest?
I spent the past two years working on a Master of Education in Secondary Education. It took quite a bit of my energy, especially over the past five months when I had to prepare for then fulfill my student teaching experience (in a 7th Grade Math – Pre-Algebra) classroom.
Needless to say, I was busy. I still worked. I had classes and observations to do. That is why this blog took a hit in terms of my attention. This past five months, though, were some of the most tiring and full periods of my life. Only a few things kept me going:
Working at the coffee shop gave me opportunities for ministry. I was involved with bolstering faith in others, practicing my apologetics skills with many non-Christians, and played a role in a couple of people becoming Christians!
My wife and friends encouraged me A LOT!
At my weakest moments, God reminded me of His immanence (which was a common theme in messages I heard this past weekend).
My most common reminder was through a song.
Whether on the radio or during interactions with others in which the song would play, Joy of the Lord by Rend Collective would be exactly what I needed to feel a little stronger for my task.
Joy Of The Lord
Rend Collective
Though tears may fall
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
Though my heart may fail
My song will rise, my song will rise to You
While there’s breath in my lungs
I will praise You, Lord
In the dead of night
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
When the waters rise
I’ll lift my eyes, I’ll lift my eyes to You
While there’s hope in my heart
I will praise You, Lord
The joy of the Lord is my strength
The joy of the Lord is my strength
In the darkness I’ll dance
In the shadows I’ll sing
The joy of the Lord is my strength
When I cannot see You with my eyes
Let faith arise to You
When I cannot feel Your hand in mine
Let faith arise to You
God of mercy and love
I will praise You, Lord
Oh You shine with glory Lord of light
I feel alive with You
In Your presence now I come alive
I am alive with You
There is strength when I say
I will praise You, Lord
When sorrow comes my way
You are the shield around me
Always You remain
Like courage in the fight
I hear You call my name
Jesus, I am coming
Walking on the waves
Reaching for Your light
And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
~Nehemiah 8:10b, ESV
There is something to be said to be able to “taste and see that the Lord is God!” And it is a blessing to “[take] refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8) That we can trust Jesus when He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
~Exodus 15:2, ESV