Matthew 11:28-30 NLT: Let’s start here today
28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Are you disillusioned in your life? Is your heart feeling dissatisfaction? What about your emotions? Are you feeling anxiety, depression, panic attacks, unloved, not needed, loss, pain, even anger, disappointment, discouraged, hopelessness, or burdens and you have no clue what to do or where to go for help? Are these new feelings or have they been going on for a long time? As I have said many times before, life can be tough, especially in this crazy day and age we are living.
Who do you turn to for help? Why do you turn to that person/s?
People we love or respect in life can be a help to us that is a given, but we have someone when we are struggling that loves us so very much, and wants to help us through “whatever” it is we are going through. We all want to be comforted in our pains of life and as wonderful as our loved ones are they don’t know everything, and they don’t always give the advice we really need to hear. They don’t see what we think, and they don’t know our deepest heart or what causes us such pain. They can know a lot that is for sure, but only God knows everything, and He is always there to walk through our situation with us.
We actually have an option here. Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I can’t speak for you or anyone else but I know when I am hurting regarding anything I can go to the Lord and He can give me peace and rest in my soul even if the world is going crazy all around me.
We take a lot of things in the Bible out of context. Whom was this verse talking to? How can it apply to you? God was speaking to people back then who had very hard lives. (Yes, we do today as well) But back then people were ruled by Rome and Rome sure didn’t like Christians. (Did they like anyone?) People lived under horrid laws for them, lived in poverty, and many of them were slaves. Even the Jews back then would place heavy burdens and rules people just could not do, keep up with, and so many legalistic laws. The burden on people was heavy and they needed help (just like we need help today). I’ve been through times (several) where I didn’t know what to do, how to do it, where to go for help, and what was going to happen to me and my family. Again, life can be tough…but we have a wonderful God who wants to help us when we let Him!!!
Have you ever felt the need to pray for someone and you didn’t know why or what their situation might even be? Someone comes to mind and you have a burden to pray for them? Pray…….God is getting your attention for a reason. What about a time you feel led to tell someone about Jesus? Ever had that feeling? Did you follow through and tell them about the Lord? If not…why not? Maybe you were the only person, right then, that could possibly tell them something. You see, God uses us to reach people as well.
I know I have a burden in my soul to tell people about Jesus. I know Jesus is the way, the truth, and life. I used to live my life without Him, and I sure don’t want to go back to living like that. I am not a speaker, but even that if God wanted me to be then He would find a way to get me there. But so far, He has wanted me to write lessons etc…and tell people things. I am not a good writer and I’m sure that English majors are having a field day with my bad writing…but that is okay because God still uses it to reach people. To some writing is easy…to me it is a struggle, but I will do it as long as the Lord wants and allows it. Even if only one person were to read something that is one person who just might be the one person God wants to read with whatever message it might be on.
Apparently you got up this morning the same as I did. Do you have a burden on your heart today? Most of us can say yes to this. We all have things going on in our life. Anything that comes to your mind here can be a burden for you today that needs dealt with. Things like finances, job, health, kids, bills, relationships, co-workers, abuse, regrets, loss, and so on. We live in a fallen evil world at this time, and we need help to make to the finish line and get home to the Lord. In the meantime, we need to take all of our burdens to Him and ask Him to help us, show us how to do or not do something, and how to make it another day….then tomorrow…do it again.
Well………………………..there is a solution everyone. His name is Jesus. He has invited you to come to Him. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). Do you feel your problems are to big for the Lord? Well, they are not to big. Big or small God has the power, the strength, and is willing to help His kids walk through life and make it home when it is their time. You do need to know that when we tell or ask God something God listens…God weighs what we say with a solution. However, God does not always wave a magic wand to suit you or me. His answer is perfect, His time impeccable. We don’t always like the answer but the answer is always the right on. God opens doors and shuts others. You can always trust God to tell you the truth, show you the way…the best way for you. So that doesn’t mean the answer is always an easy one…but it is a necessary one.
Jesus offers salvation. He offers answers. He offers truth to go on. Once a couple thousand years ago He was on this earth and went to a cross to bear yours and my sins. He was perfect, committed no sins, and yet He was willing to give us a way to Him. He not only offered us salvation, but He also offerd us forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life. Wow!!!! That is awesome! He didn’t have to go to that cross, but had He not gone for us none of us ever would have the chance to go to heaven for He is the way, the truth, and life and heaven belongs to Him. We must play by His rules. There is a saying: My home…my rules.
Okay…what to do….pray. Never be arrogant and think you don’t need to pray. You need to pray to God and be humble. Tell God your troubles…all of them. (Yes, He knows them but He wants you to talk to Him and tell Him) We are to cast our cares on Him because He cares for us. He promises to sustain us so we won’t be shaken. He may not lift your burden, or do things as you want Him to, but He will strengthen you to be able to bear it.
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me … for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:29-30).
Even in Biblical days people were placing a yoke on people. It was lob sided and heavy. Well, Jesus told those who were weary of legalism to exchange yokes by taking His and learning from Him. Again, life is tough and we need to find our way. Our way can be difficult for sure, but when we put Jesus in our equation…it gets a lot better for our very soul. To take His yoke we confess our sins and receive Jesus as our Master and Lord.
“For I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt. 11:29). The strength of our Savior is a great comfort for us when we feel burdened. He’ll never condemn or cast out one of His own disciples who come to Him in time of need (John 6:37). Jesus wants to help us carry all our burdens. Are we going to let Him do that? “You will find rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:29). When we trust Jesus for salvation and for every daily burden, He gives us eternal assurance and peace in our hearts. Jesus wants to replace the garbage of life with the peace of God. Even if our burdens remain for a season…God is still there with us. We can still have the peace of Jesus even in the midst of the storms of life.
So now it is us to each of us. Will we go to God and give Him our burdens so He can help us, or will we waller in them and keep them? The choice is ours to make. If I could make the decision for you I would, but I can’t any more than you can make it for me or for someone else you love and want to help. We came into this world alone, we leave it alone one day. (Yes, your parents were there or someone was), but I am talking about you began and will end your journey on this earth at some time. God is willing, able, and wants to be there for you in all seasons of your life. Will you let Him be? If you say no…why did you say no? There has never been a greater love for you than that of our savior….Jesus Christ. Let Him help you each day and find peace for your soul no matter what you see in this world.
Now, my God bless you, keep you, provide for you needs, heal your body, save your family, and may He help you with any burdens you are feeling. God bless you!