How To Rest | Fuel For The Weekend

 

We are told to rest in the Lord. The Bible never says find rest in any other source. We cannot rest in a friend, our spouse, a relative, comfort foods, or an activity. We must rest in Jesus. Relationships with others do not provide the spiritual rest our souls and spirits need. We have to find solace in Jesus Christ alone. You will set yourself up for disappointment if you try to give that rest to others. You simply cannot do it. You can point them to Jesus, the only One who can. You will be disappointed if you expect to find that rest in others apart from the Lord. You will only truly find rest for your souls when you turn to the life giver, the sustainer, the joy giver, and His name is Jesus. Today as we start to embark on the weekend before us, let's look at what the Scriptures say about this rest Jesus offers to us. As we study together, we will see what this rest is, why it is needed, and how to obtain it. My prayer for you is a restful weekend.

MATTHEW 11:28 Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

The first thing we must do is surrender to Jesus. When we come to Him, get alone with Him and are quiet, we hear His invitation. Come to Me, He says, everyone who works and is loaded down with care. Are you carrying a heavy burden? Jesus tells us that He will give us rest. Read that verse again. Listen as He invites you personally to sit with Him and take the time to simply rest.

JOHN 6:37 All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.

God, our Heavenly Father, wants this special rest for you. He has assigned rest to you today. He offers this rest through His precious Son Jesus and if you come to Jesus for this rest, He makes us an incredible promise here that you will not be turned away. He has time for you. He has rest for you. He has peace for your burdened, troubled soul. He wants to refresh you.

MATTHEW 11:29 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.

Jesus asks us to replace the heavy burdens we are carrying with the yoke He is wearing. This special harness is something used to share the load two animals are carrying. Jesus is saying if we will take the time to hook up to the same harness He is wearing, we will share the load together. It makes it easier because He is with us. We will be going in the same direction. The weight is evenly distributed so we are not working so hard. What burdens are we carrying that were never ours to bear? What chains are holding us bound when Jesus' Truth makes us free? 

Jesus tells us to learn who He is. Do not listen to what others say Jesus is like. They may not know Him well enough to speak the truth. Find out for yourself. His life is in the pages of the Bible. Read the red letters. Here He tells us that He is meek and lowly in heart. He is our gentle shepherd. He loves us. He is approachable. He is ready to receive you. And when you are in His presence you will find rest for your soul. What a lovely picture and it is so true.

JOHN 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done unto you.

PHILIPPIANS 2:2-5 (2)Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. (3)Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (4)Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. (5)Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

In John, Jesus has humbled Himself as a servant. He is wearing a towel around His waist, bending down to wash each of His disciple's feet. He said He was doing this as an example for them to follow. It is for us, too. This teaches us who He is. What is a great leader? First a humble servant. We are to look for opportunities to do good to others. Humble ourselves and do the things that are necessary. What was the significance of this? Jesus, our blessed Savior, left the splendor of heaven to come and live on this earth for 33.5 years. He is our King and He put the dirty, sweaty, stinky feet of these men He loved into His precious hands and washed them clean. Read that passage. Listen to the exchange as Peter and Jesus talked. Peter was too prideful to let Jesus wash His feet at first. Jesus taught Him humility and love and honor through this beautiful act of love. We must be like Jesus.

In Philippians, we see the same message reiterated. Let the same mind be in us that is in Christ Jesus. Let's love others more than ourselves. Let's put their needs ahead of our own. Let's not focus on ourselves as much as we focus on who we can serve and help. This is the way of Jesus. He was a servant to all of us. He still serves us. He still gives us love, blessings, hope, healing, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, favor, and grace. This is how we learn of Him and be like Him.

  MATTHEW 11:30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Jesus tells us that His plans for our lives are better. His yoke is easy. His way of doing things is best. His burden is light. It is not hard to do what He asks. It says in 1 John 5:3 "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous." It isn't hard to do what He asks of us because He is hooked up to the same yoke we are to take upon us. His yoke is easy. He leads the way. He bears some of the weight of the heavy load. He is doing everything He asks us to do. There is nothing He will ever tell us to do that He has not already done Himself. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us according to Philippians 4:13.

If you are in need of some rest, please go to the One who is able. He wants to give you rest. He is ready and His arms are open. He says Come to Me. Will you give Him a chance to restore your strength? Will you give Him a chance to replenish you? This week has taken a toll on your spiritual self and He wants to untangle you from the burdens and cares of this life. Let Him give you rest like only He can.

I pray something I have shared today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens