Daily Bread_October 4, 2013

Title: When Dependence is a Good Thing

Text:

Matthew 11:28-29 (HCSB)
²⁸ "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.

Observation:

Life is hard; you don't have to live very long to discover this reality. I hear about someone experiencing trouble in their life almost every day. Troubles visit all of us; you may not have troubles today, but you can expect them in the future.

It's hard to deal with pain and suffering; it's always been that way. One of the oldest books in the Bible records the troubles and tests that Job faced. It is not easy to handle the severity of pain, and few experience the pain and loss that Job experienced. It's okay to be real about your troubles, and you can talk to God about how you really feel.  Notice how Job talked to God; he was honest, but respectful.

Job 10:1-3 (HCSB)
¹ I am disgusted with my life. I will express my complaint and speak in the bitterness of my soul.
² I will say to God: "Do not declare me guilty! Let me know why You prosecute me.
³ Is it good for You to oppress, to reject the work of Your hands, and favor the plans of the wicked?

Sometimes God's people get to the point of troubles being greater than they can bear in their strength alone. That is the position that the Apostle Paul was in.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (HCSB)
⁸ For we don't want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life.
⁹ Indeed, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead.

Both Job and Paul were near death; the Lord was their life boat. The answer lies in coming to the one who can help you; not in giving up. You can trust in a God who can do anything but fail, and who alone can raise the dead. God didn't make you to bear your burdens alone; He invites you to come to Him; He will give you rest.

Job 13:15 (KJV)
¹⁵ Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so grateful for the refuge we have; a place where we can find shelter from the pain and suffering that we experience in this world. Father God, I delight to accept Your invitation for the weary and the burdened souls to come to You and find rest.

Lord, I thank You for being my anchor in times of storms and in times of calm; You are God all by yourself all the time. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

--

Acts 6:4 (KJV)
⁴ But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

 

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 http://herbcotton.blogspot.com/