Strength and Weariness

Then He began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles were done, because they did not repent…"Nevertheless I say to you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you." At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. "Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. "All things have been handed over to Me by My Father ; and no one knows the Son except the Father ; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matt 11:20, 24-30

I was struck by this passage today in a different way than I have been before. Jesus had just finished speaking out against the cities that had rejected Him. He had gone to these cities, spoke, done miracles and yet they did not repent. In fact He said they were worse than Sodom! (Matt 1:20-24) But it’s His next phrase in verse 25 that caught my attention. In the midst of what must have broke His heart He says, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants.”

It was in that moment that He found peace and rest knowing His Father was sovereign. He knew and trusted His Father’s plan for redemption. Jesus knew there would be a people that would hear and respond to the gospel. He trusted in a wise and faithful God.

What about you and me? When things look discouraging, when we are tired and weary of doing God's work how do we react?  Do we keep our eyes on our circumstances or do we look up to God and remember who He is? When times are dark and we find ourselves in a place of turmoil let us thank God that He is still sovereign over all things. Let us just rest knowing He has a plan.

When you are weary and ready to give up, go to Him, the One who promises sweet rest. Not because our circumstances have changed, but because He is God. Submit to His will even if it looks like nothing is working our right, or evil is winning.  It’s under the safety of Christ’s wings that we find rest.

We need to come to a place where we can walk through hard times with meekness and lowliness of heart. We must be willing to follow Christ and empty ourselves of pride, fear, worry, and so many other things that cause such weariness so that we can be filled with His peace and rest.

What is it today that is causing you weariness? What is causing you to be overwhelmed or discouraged? Injustices that seem to be winning? A country that seems to be failing? A bad marriage? Rebellious children?  

Follow Jesus’ example and look up to your Father in heaven and speak words of thanksgiving and praise for who He is and for what He has promised. Thank Him for His sovereign control over all things. Trust in God’s plan for TODAY. Trust Him with it all, He is faithful and will bring you to a place of rest whether or not things change. And trust that no matter what things look like today God truly does see it all and is working continuously to set it all right according to His plan.