Heart weariness is the most weary of weariness. You are so weary you don’t even have the strength to look for help. A hand
reaches out to you and you hear the gentle call of Jesus, “Come to me all you who are weary and
burdened and I will give you rest.”
You will find his invitation in the book of Matthew in the New Testament, chapter 11, and verses 25-30.
The first point Jesus makes is that you can come to Him in your weariness because you can depend on Him.
1. His Qualifications. (Mathew 11:27)
The Father has committed all things to Him. Everything in your life is included. Even when you feel utterly lost in your weariness, you aren’t, because that is not up to you, it is in His control. 1John 3:20 “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.”
It is interesting to do a study of the things that the Lord Jesus has been made responsible for. Here are just a few that demonstrate His ability.
He is the Creator - John 1:3
When God said, “Let there be light,” that was our Lord Jesus saying it! Your circumstances are never too hard for Him. They are not even slightly difficult. God is using your situation, no matter what it is, to accomplish good. (Romans 8:28-29) “How can that be!” That is just the point! It is beyond me, but it is not beyond Him - and He can give you “the peace that passes understanding.” (Philippians 4:7)
He is the Judge: John 5:22.
The one who paid for my sins, is the one seated on the throne of judgment in Revelation 20:11. There will be no nasty surprises. It is Him, the One who holds you safely in His hand.
He is our advocate before God: 1 John 2:1. I sin every day – Jesus is there telling the Father that He already paid the penalty for that sin. He keeps me saved. “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25). In my weariness I begin to think, “Look at me. God must hate me. I might as well give up.” Jesus is telling you that He never gives up on you. You can always go to Him because He never leaves you, never lets you go.
He holds all things together: Colossians 1:17
Why does the atom stay together? It is Him. You have a small demonstration of His power when He allows us to split an atom for an atomic explosion. One day He will open His hand and let it all be destroyed in a fiery eruption. “…The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire...” (2 Peter 3:10) He can hold things together for you. It will never get out of hand for Him.
2. His Invitation: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
Can’t you picture Him with his arms out wide. He is holy, hates sin, and will judge man, but this is the heart of God: “Come to me. I want to save you, want to help.”
Here is why you can, “For I am gentle and humble in heart.” (Vs. 29) Why do we resist coming to Him till we are broken and desperate? It is so much better to come every morning as we begin the day, that we would be with Him all day.
“Learn of me.” (Vs. 29) The more you learn of Him, with love for Him, the more peaceful in heart you are.
“You will find rest for your soul.” (Vs. 29) This is your soul He is talking about, not just ideas. This goes to the very deepest core of our being and then works outward and gives peace even when we are puzzled and confused by what we are seeing and experiencing. Even then we have a strength we can’ account for because He makes “His yoke … easy and burden … light” because He carries the load.
The following is a brief summary of the poem “
Footprints in the Sand,” by Mary Stevenson that demonstrates this very well.
I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.
I noticed footprints in the sand…
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints … other times there were one set of footprints.
I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering …
I could see only one set of footprints…
“Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"
The Lord replied,
"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints in the sand, is when I carried you."