Enter Into Rest

"Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls." —Matthew 11:29 [KJV]

Thus, with tender affection, speaks Jesus our prophet to the lambs of His flock. He well knows we stand in need of daily instruction from Him: He teaches us in the truth as we are able to bear it; He knows the weakness of our understandings; He is "touched with a feeling of our infirmities." Therefore, lest our poor hearts should at any time conceive thoughts of Him contrary to His nature and office, He says, "I am meek and lowly of heart." 

You find that you are poor sinners; ignorant of many truths; exercised with many conflicts, trials and temptations: do not think of Me only as the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, but as dwelling also with humble hearts. Look not on Me as an austere master; a terrible lawgiver, a severe judge, who watches over you for evil, and is ever ready to take all advantages against you. No: I am your condescending, meek and lowly Saviour; your loving friend and kind instructor; therefore come and listen to My words: "Learn of Me." 

What sweet encouragement is this! Art thou, O soul, tossed with temptations? Harassed with corruptions? Beset with sinful passions? Do these bring disquiet upon thy mind, distress to thy conscience, and are a wearisome burden to thy spirits, so that thou dost not enjoy settled ease and composed rest? Remember thy Saviour's lowly character and kind advice. He hath an ear for thy complaints, a heart of love to pity thee, a powerful arm to relieve thee. With sweet familiarity poor out thy heart to Him: as a bosom-friend tell Him of thy sorrows, thy complaints, and fears. 

Always bear in mind His kind invitation; the loving meekness and lowliness of His heart, and the blessedness of His promise. He hath spoken it, and will He not bring it to pass? He hath said it, and will He not fulfil it? "Ye shall find rest to your souls:" sweet tranquility and inward composure as can be found in no object besides Jesus. Could the children of this world persuade us there is no evil in their vain diversions and carnal delights, still we know we cannot expect our Lord's presence, nor shall we find rest to our souls from the bewitching scenes of the play-house, etc. No; but the more rest we find to our souls in Jesus, the more we are delighted with Him, and become dead to all things that are contrary to spiritual peace and joy from Him. "We who have believed, do enter into rest."—Hebrews 4:3.

Let me but hear my Saviour say, 

Strength shall be equal to thy day, 

Then I rejoice in deep distress, 

Leaning on all-sufficient grace.

I glory in infirmity, 

That Christ's own power may rest on me; 

When I am weak, then I am strong, 

Grace is my shield and Christ my song.

 

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)