Have you ever been really tired. Maybe in your college days pulling an all nighter to study for an exam. Perhaps after some very difficult work and you are just drained. Maybe you have been just emotionally exhausted after several tough things. I think, often spiritual and emotional exhaustion can be the most difficult to overcome. When you are tired or physically exhausted you simple get some rest and your body recovers. Emotional and spiritual exhaustion is a little bit different, there is often work that must be done to overcome it. Jesus tells us to “rest” in Him at times like this. Let’s look at His words together in Matthew 11.

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 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. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

It’s interesting that Jesus’ answer to overcoming weariness is to take on a yoke. A yoke was used to pull incredibly heavy things or plow fields. This means to take on more work in the midst of our weariness. Yet, the work Jesus is describing actually fills our emotional and spiritual tanks. Anyone who has ever been on a short term mission trip can tell you that while they may have worked hard they come home refreshed spiritually not drained. When we find ourselves spiritually weary we should take the advice of Jesus, “rest” in Him and serve others in love. When we do that we just may find that this work actually refreshes us instead of draining us.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave