1 Samuel 22:1 David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam. And when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him. And everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was bitter in soul, gathered to him. And he became commander over them. And there were with him about four hundred men.
Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Isaiah 45:22-25 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.
Isaiah 55:1-3 “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant
John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Isaiah 48:17-18 Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;
Where do you find rest from the distress of trials and troubles of this life? Is there any place of refuge where our soul will find peace of mind? There is a place of peace and rest for our heart, soul, and mind, but it comes at a price few are willing to pay. The price is total surrender and total reliance and total trust and a total clinging to Jesus. Don’t get me wrong on this for many people in their distress come to Jesus to find peace, hope, and rest. The problem is that once they are on the other side of the trial/trouble they do not see the need anymore. It is as though Jesus is a sugar daddy who is there to serve them in their distress but He is not worthy of much past this.
There is a place of refuge, peace, rest, hope, joy in the life of those who intentionally choose and are committed to being humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying Jesus. Jesus calls out, “come to Me, all who labor and are heavy with burden and I will give you rest.” “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me.” Jesus did not say come and leave, He said come and yoke to me, learn from me.
If we are looking for a quick fix for our trials/troubles/issues this is not going to give us lasting peace and rest. Jesus is willing to take on our burdens and He does this out of love, mercy, and grace. However if there is no daily surrender to Him, no commitment to Him, no humble love, gratitude, and thankfulness to Him, no want or desire to know more of Him and how to honor, glorify, serve, follow and obey Him, there will be no lasting peace, purpose, or satisfaction for your soul. It seems we see Jesus more as a personal genie for us rather than seeing the Son of God who gave His life for us so that we would not perish but have eternal life.
Jesus is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. He wants us to yoke with Him. He wants to give us abounded life now and for eternity. Learn to surrender each day to Him. Learn to trust Him. Learn to rely on Him. Cling to Him. Learn to cast your cares on Him. Find rest for your souls in Him each day.
