Rest For The Weary

Come unto me . . . and . . . rest.

Matthew 11:28

Few people know how to rest these days. Even on vacation, many people rush to cram in as much as they can before returning to their jobs, where they spend twice as much energy catching up on the work and mail that has piled up in their absence. Many of us need vacations just to rest from our vacations! Perhaps we have been looking for rest in the wrong places.

Jesus said, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” Like peace, rest can be found only in one place, from one source, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

When we rest, truly rest, we place our confidence in something outside of ourselves. We acknowledge that while there may be work to do, it will eventually be done. But there is nothing more important at that moment than resting, than taking our shoes off, stretching out on a couch or a hammock, and thinking about anything but work.

As we contemplate the all-powerful, always-in-control Lord of our lives and Lord of the world, we can rest in the knowledge that Christ has the whole world in His hands. Despite the headlines in the newspapers and some of the scenes we see on television, we know that all is going according to God’s plan and foreknowledge.

Jesus gives us the ultimate rest, the confidence we need, to escape the frustration and chaos of the world around us. Rest in Him and do not worry about what lies ahead. Jesus Christ has already taken care of tomorrow.

Our Father and our God, I rest in the knowledge of You and Your ever-presence in my world. I know You are in control and You are working Your plan for my life. Take away the frustration and chaos of my heart. Let me sleep in peace with You, knowing I am covered by Your grace and the love of Your Son. Amen.

Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).