When my spirit grow faint within me, it is you who watch over my way. Psalm 142:3

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28  

There are many days when things seem difficult. Too many things to do pulling us in different directions. Many days we can feel weary and just want to rest; yet we often feel we need to keep doing things no matter how weary we are. The psalmist writes of troubles in  life – to the point that his spirit grows faint. People around him are of no help, often they are the source of the troubles. What to do? Remember  that God is watching over him no matter how discouraged he was.  

Jesus experienced weariness while here on earth, He understands our burdens. We receive rest and comfort as a gift – Jesus says He will give us rest. All of our attempts to overcome our weariness and burdens do not succeed as well as the gift from Jesus.  

The last year of my mother’s life, before we knew the cancer had returned, she often remarked that she was weary. With the diagnosis, we had an explanation of why she was so often tired and feeling like a burden. She kept this poem near her during those last few months of home hospice. Written by Annie Johnson Flint in 1919. My mother was born in 1919, and this was very comforting to her:  

“God has not promised skies always blue Flower strewn pathways all our lives through God has not promised sun without rain Joy without sorrow, peace without pain  

But God has promised strength for the day Rest for the labor, light for the way Grace for the trials, help from above Unfailing sympathy, undying love.”    

Gentle Savior, thank you for watching over us and caring for us. Forgive us for trying to do things with our own strength. When our faith wavers and our spirit is faint, you hear our prayers and carry our burdens. True rest comes from you alone. Teach us to cease our striving and let you do your work in us. Amen    

Chris Gabel   

Ministries
Teaching Mission Party