And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
whose forms are bending low,
who toil along the climbing way
with painful steps and slow,
look now! for glad and golden hours
come swiftly on the wing.
O rest beside the weary road,
and hear the angels sing!
All trials are relative
One of the most important roles church history plays in the life of a Christian is this: it reminds us that Christians have faced far more severe conditions than we have or are. When our circumstances take a turn for the worse it is easy to moan and complain, but a quick dip into history will soon turn our petty moans to mighty praises.
I am presently making my way through the history of Anabaptists recorded in a ginormous two-volume book called "The Chronicle of the Hutterian Brethren." These Christians living the 1500s and 1600s endured unbelievable persecution and had to move on mass, as whole communities, from one city to another, one country to another. They were robed, pillaged, tortured, raped, imprisoned and martyred for no other reason than that they believed the Gospel.
It helps us to put our "won't be able to eat Christmas dinner with all my family" woes into perspective doesn't it?
Life's Crushing Load
And yet, though that may all be true, it does not mean we do not suffer. Every generation suffers in a different way. Our Carol writer is accurate, for many are bending low beneath life's crushing load. And many toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow.
Do we not all find ourselves among this number from time to time?
Whatever our burden, Jesus says to us: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11)
His righteousness gives us rest from all our attempts to live the perfect lives we cannot live.
His daily forgiveness gives us rest from guilt and shame.
His compassion for his sheep gives us rest in a dark, cold and indifferent world.
His Spirit gently dwelling within us gives us rest from our fears and sorrows.
His hope of eternal life gives us rest in the face of death.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
Matthew 11:28-30 is rendered in song most beautifully HERE.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our ever-giving Father in Heaven,
We thank you for the many gifts we enjoy. Forgive us for our complaining and moaning when life takes a sudden turn for the worse. Remind us that your people have endured far worse than we presently are and teach us to be ever thankful.
We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world persecuted and hounded for their trust in Jesus.
We thank you that we can cast all our burdens on the Lord because you care for us. Teach us to do that and to remember and to feel that your yoke is easy and your burden is light.
We ask these things in the precious name of Jesus,
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment