This post is part of a 40-Day Prayer Journey through the season of Lent. Click here to learn more.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
So often, rest is temporary.
We’re tired, so we go to sleep, and then we wake up and soon get tired all over again. We put off our problems with a book or TV show, but we can’t avoid them forever. We’ll have to face them eventually.
Relief from our troubles, pains, frustrations, and burdens doesn’t last.
Why not? Sooner or later, those troubles, pains, frustrations, and burdens come back—or other things quickly take their place. It’s just the way of this sin-darkened world we live in.
When Jesus gives the invitation in the verse quoted above, he’s not offering a temporary solution to life’s problems. In the same way that he offered the Samaritan woman at the well living water so she would never thirst again, Jesus freely offers us rest—true and lasting spiritual rest.
How? How does Jesus give us rest from all our troubles?
He shows us his nail-marked hands and spear-pierced side. He shows us the lines of love scarred upon his back and the wounds from the crown of thorns he bore for you and me. He gives us rest in him by showing us in his Word what he has done to rescue us from the wearisome burden of sin that plagues our waking moments.
Jesus has forgiven all of your sins. You’re at peace with God. No matter what happens in this life, you have a home in heaven waiting for you. Jesus has taken care of your greatest need for relief; you can rest easy, knowing that you are God’s dearly loved child.
Will you still have troubles? Will you still go through life feeling weary and burdened at times?
Of course, dear Christian.
Knowing what Jesus has done for you to free you from sin doesn’t necessarily remove you from feeling overwhelmed at times from doing your taxes, experiencing stress at work, or navigating strained relationships at home.
But it does put those things into perspective. Put your focus on Jesus; keep your eyes fixed on him.
Today, pray that God would comfort his people with the rest and peace only Jesus can give. Pray that God would comfort you with that same rest and peace.
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Alex Brown is the marketing and content copywriter at Northwestern Publishing House. He has his Master of Divinity degree from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in God’s creation.
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