Rest for the Weary

READ: PSALM 62; MATTHEW 11:25–12:8

The nightmares had started again. It had only been a few nights, and already I felt like I was sleepwalking through the days—pure exhaustion from the moment I opened my eyes. As the shower water beat down on my weary head, I prayed a prayer of the strength-sapped: “God, help.”

Immediately, the words of Jesus filled my mind: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). How easy it is to forget, especially when you’re tired: the thing the weary need most of all is to come to Jesus for rest.

When I endure days or even weeks of that mind-numbing exhaustion, I tend to flit from one task to the next throughout the day, keeping physically busy until I’m about to drop. Sometimes, the one thing I fail to do is the very thing I need most of all: to find my rest in Jesus.

After several failed attempts to sit and open up my Bible, my rampaging thoughts stilled enough for me to sit at the feet of Jesus. As I read through Psalm 62, my heart lifted. I found my heart echoing David’s words: “Truly my soul finds rest in God…Yes, my soul, find rest in God…Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him” (verses 1, 5, 8).

The Bible has hundreds of verses about rest. Taking time to sleep and care for our bodies is important, and the rest that’s even more crucial for our lives is found in the presence of Jesus. In Luke 10:38-42, when Jesus visited Martha’s house, He encouraged her to remember the one thing that was more important than all the things she needed to get done: sitting at His feet.

Jesus offers us rest in His presence. As we spend time in His Word, in prayer, and with His people, He gives us the spiritual rest our souls crave. We can embrace the soul-rest God offers by pouring out our hearts to Him and allowing His unfailing love to fill us up. • Savannah Coleman

• When do you find it difficult to rest?

• Why do you think it’s important to spend time pouring out our hearts to Jesus and being reminded of His love, both individually and with other Christians?

• Sleep is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Sometimes, we need help in order to give our bodies the sleep we need, and that’s okay. If you’re having difficulty sleeping, who is a trusted adult you can talk to, such as a parent, counselor, or doctor?

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I [Jesus] will give you rest.” Matthew