“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28, NASB)

Recently this verse fell in a most comforting manner as I realized, these words are an invitation. A personal invitation from Jesus to each one of us. He invites us to come to Himself.

We all face days, maybe weeks, of feeling tired and just worn out. Sometimes we don’t sleep well no matter how much we long for sleep. For rest.

But Christ not only calls us to Himself, He promises us rest when we do come to Him.

Rest not stress. That is what the Lord will give to us even in the most trying of days. I read this statement but do not know the source:

“God is working on your behalf. Rest in Him.”

~*~*~

“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13, NASB)

This chapter has many favorite, and oft quoted verses:

• “be anxious for nothing”
• “the peace of God will guard your hearts and minds”
• Paul tells us what our thoughts should dwell on

And then we come to this verse, also quoted often, when we are trying to accomplish something that is beyond us.

But what is it that we are actually being told we can do?

Just before this verse, Paul tells us he has learned to get by with little or much. He tells us he has suffered at times. He tells us he has learned the secret.

This verse is not about “doing things” but rather about God doing something in us.

On those days when it seems life is too much to handle, Jesus will bring us strength. He will be our strength.

This verse is less of doing and more of being. We do less and He does more. We are less and He is all – our all in all.

I looked at this verse alongside of Psalm 46:1-3 (because it was my cross reference):

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.”

I love that the word “Selah” is right there.

Think about it – even if the mountains were to fall into the sea, even if the waters roar and foam, even if the earth were to change – God will still be our help, our refuge, our strength.

Selah. Pause, think, remember.

What do you need His strength for today?

~*~*~

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”
(Jeremiah 17:7-8, NLT)

This verse is interesting to think on for a bit.

This verse tells us it is possible to thrive. To always be productive.

In fact, it tells us even when the conditions are not perfect for growth, we can still experience growth.

To experience this, we have to stay near to God, for He is the One who will provide the waters to get us through times of drought.

Are you feeling “dry”? Unproductive? Perhaps stagnant in your growth?

Stay in God’s Word. Keep learning His truths. Trust Him. He makes our lives fruitful in every season so those around us can also be sustained and refreshed and restored.

~*~*~

Come to Him.
He will be your strength,
and make your life thrive again.

Photo 1: by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Tim Foster on Unsplash
Photo 3:  by Mick Haupt on Unsplash

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and InstaEncouragements .