August 6 Rest For Our Weary Souls Matthew 11: 28-30
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina…“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)
Three days ago, I ran into one of the most upbeat and positive person, that I know, and he looked as if he had just been told that his dog died and that his house had burned down and that his child was moving to Afghanistan. I asked him if he was ok and told him that he wasn’t his usual bubbly, positive self. “I am just weary Glen, just plain weary!” Folks, here is the “Poster Child” for “The Glass Half Full” positive outlook and his “Jaw was Dragging the Ground!” “What is going on brother?” For twenty minutes, he shared the burdens that had accumulated over the past two months and as he spoke, I saw a true expression of despair and hopelessness. Keep in mind, I haven’t seen him or communicated with him in months, yet, on this day, I meet him at Walmart. “Lord, please give me what I need to say to ‘Lift my brother’s spirits,’ and to help him to re-focus and reset his vision.” “Thank you God!” I put my arm around him and shared three verses of scripture, found in Matthew 11:28-30…“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.” We stood, in front of the Zebulon Walmart and prayed together. Praise God! He began to ask God to forgive him for failing to look up and to claim HIS promises, in the wave of weariness that had overtaken him. We both, with tears in our eyes, left each other, better than we were when we walked inside of Walmart! He had a “Clarity” moment and I had a “Worship” moment! This situation made be ponder, “How many others are “just plain weary?” Weary of the news, weary of the burdens and challenges of living? Weary of life’s complexities, emotional hurdles, complications and uncertainties? Are you weary? Are you burdened by the crazy and turbulent times that we are living? Amazingly and gratefully, in our weariness, we have a Savior that steps into our lives, with a Divine and Powerful Promise of Hope, Peace and Relief! In this scripture, today, Jesus is telling us that “Life is Hard,” and “Challenges are going to come,” and, if you want to survive, and thrive, we must claim His promise and appeal! The call, to us, is “TO COME!” Isn’t it wonderful, that the call is for “ALL?” Believer, we do not have to be weary and we do not have to be “down,” because JESUS CHRIST has offered relief and hope and peace in our lives! “I WILL GIVE YOU REST!” Remember, Jesus is with us, pulling alongside of us and allowing us to “catch our breath,” both physically and spiritually!” In this relationship, our burdens become lighter and our outlook becomes clearer and our hope becomes stronger and our endurance becomes a fact! Every one of us, at some time, becomes weary, in well doing! I thank God, through Jesus, that he made a provision for our weaknesses and that HE is willing to “SEE US THROUGH!” What God does with you, depends upon what you do! It Always has; It Always will!! Be sure, be productive and continue to share the Love of God with others! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!