“In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” Psalms 4:8 AMP
We are living in a day and an age that has everything but peace! Wars, rumors of wars, weather events, volcanos, earthquakes, violence and beatings in the street. Where can one truly find peace in this kind of world? The Psalmist gives a good starting point, “…for you alone, oh Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust.” When sin entered the stream of humanities existence it destroyed all that was given so that man would be at peace with himself and His creator. A life of peace and harmony was suddenly transformed into a life filled with burdens and pain. When seeking a respite from the chaos of the day, Jesus gives us an alternative.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 29Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST (renewal, blessed quiet) FOR YOUR SOULS. 30For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28 AMP
Look at the description Jesus used of those He is calling, “weary, and heavy laden.” The Greek here translated weary is the word meaning to “take a beating.” It represents the severe, tense or strenuous effort of a soldier in battle fighting for his life. It includes both physical and mental toil which leads to exhaustion. The word laden is the Greek word used for placing a enormous load aboard a ship to the point of it being overweight! Thos are two perfect descriptions of how life can be, especially for the Christian. The good news is that we do not have to carry the load if we would only look up and see our Savior! We are not the first to struggle seeing the wicked prospering.
“Truly God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart. 2But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. 3For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no pains in their death, Their body is fat and pampered. 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like mankind. 6Therefore pride is their necklace; Violence covers them like a garment [like a long, luxurious robe]. 7Their eye bulges from fatness [they have more than the heart desires]; The imaginations of their mind run riot [with foolishness]. 8They mock and wickedly speak of oppression; They speak loftily [with malice]. 9They set their mouth against the heavens, And their tongue swaggers through the earth.” Psalm 73:1-9
WOW! Sounds like a good description of today’s condition. The Psalmist was ready to give up keeping his life in line with the precepts of God until…
“Surely then in vain I have cleansed my heart And washed my hands in innocence.14For all the day long have I been stricken, And punished every morning. 15If I had said, “I will say this,” [and expressed my feelings], I would have betrayed the generation of Your children. 16When I considered how to understand this, It was too great an effort for me and too painful 17Until I came into the sanctuary of God;Then I understood [for I considered] their end.” Psalm 73:13-17 AMP
“Until I came to the sanctuary of the Lord!” It is so easy to get distracted when we forget the end of the road for those who have rejected God. We know this not our final resting place and we are looking for a city whose foundation is God! Remember when you are overwhelmed with the state of thing in the world today…WE WIN! Have a victorious day, Pastor Ken