Have you ever had a bad night’s sleep?  Maybe you were tossing and turning or you just couldn’t fall asleep.  Perhaps your mind was racing with some burdens going on in your life and you just couldn’t find rest.  You often even can “oversleep” and wake up feeling unrested.  The Bible actually talks a lot about the importance of rest.  Let’s look at Jesus’ words in Matthew 11 together today.

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.”

Last night I couldn’t fall asleep.  I was in a little bit of pain and just struggled to rest.  Finally I looked at my clock and it was almost 3 and I contemplated just getting up.  I decided to pray and fell asleep almost immediately, put it this way I don’t remember much of the prayer.  I woke up finally after sleeping through my alarm (actually Sarah woke me up would be more honest).  In situations like that you just don’t feel rested.  Jesus speaks about rest in Matthew 11 but He isn’t talking about sleep.  He is talking to us about a better way of life, a better way of striving.  He is teaching us that we can’t make it on our own strength into a relationship with God but He has already made a way for us when we rely upon Him.  We are burdened with a heavy load of our sin but Jesus has already unburdened us if we simply rest in Him.  Today take a moment and unburden yourselves.  Find rest in Jesus.  Bring Him your struggles, your sins, your pain and hurt.  He will give you rest.

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave