January 14

Rest Is a Gift

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. — Matt 11:28 BSB

Those of us who are saved find rest in Jesus. Those who are not saved will receive rest if they come to Him because He promises to “give” it. Nothing is more freely given than a gift; let’s gladly accept what He gladly gives. You don’t have to buy it or borrow it—just receive it as a gift. You labor under the burden of ambition, greed, lust, or anxiety; He will set you free from this crushing load and give you rest. You are “laden,” yes, “heavy laden” with sin, fear, worry, guilt, and the fear of death, but if you come to Him, He will lift that burden off you. He carried the overwhelming weight of our sin so that we wouldn’t have to carry it anymore. He made Himself the great Burden-bearer so that everyone weighed down by life’s pressures could find relief.

Jesus gives rest. It’s true. Will you believe it? Will you put it to the test? Will you do it right now? Come to Jesus by letting go of every other hope, by thinking of Him, believing what God says about Him, and trusting everything to Him. If you come to Him in this way, the rest He gives you will be deep, secure, holy, and everlasting. He gives a rest that grows into heaven, and He offers it today to all who come to Him.