Rest

 August 4, 2022

“Blessed is the man whom you instruct, O LORD, and teach out of your law, that you may give him rest from the days of adversity.” —Psalm 94:12-13

I wonder how many times I’ll have to relearn the wisdom and peace contained in these words? The author looked around him and saw only injustice and despair until he turned to the Law, the Word of God. Things haven’t changed much in the 3,000 years between him and me. The proud and powerful still oppress the vulnerable, justifying their actions with doublespeak. If our attention is taken up by these people, with all their lofty words and lousy performance, we too, will end up in despair. 

The Good News is that there is rest from adversity. The God who created the vastness of space with a mere word, who sees us and knows us—in spite of our insignificance in the universe, who loves us in spite of our sins, and has provided a way of redemption and life through the death and resurrection of his Son—this same God through his Son uttered these words to all who are weighed down with life:

“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28-30

Notice that the rest comes when we come. Keeping our distance from Jesus robs us of our rest. When we neglect the reading of the Scriptures and skimp on prayer, when we neglect worship and eschew service, we keep him at arm’s length. When we shoulder his yoke, ie, when we are attached to him, is when we learn what peace and rest is all about.