– – – -“I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
In this troubled world there are many hard trials, powerful enemies, tough tasks, and difficult days— and we are oh so weak and weary! Yet in these times of darkness the bright light of God’s promises give us hope. Such is this precious promise from the lips of our dear Savior– “I will give you rest”!

Back in the 19th century, Pastor James Smith wrote these words to his congregation: “There is no rest for the Christian in the world. There will be always something to disturb, perplex or distress him; it is an enemy’s land. But Jesus says, “I will give you rest.” He does so by enabling us to rely on His word, recognise His hand, submit to His will, and trust in His perfect work. He assures us that our sins are forgiven us; that our persons are safe in His keeping; that His presence shall always be with us; and that all things shall work together for the best. We can rest on His faithfulness; He has been tried, and found faithful. We can rest on His love, for it knows not the shadow of a turn. We can rest on His power, it is ever engaged on our behalf. We can rest on His covenant, it is ordered in all things and sure. We can rest on His blood; it speaks peace, pardon, and acceptance with God. We can rest at His feet; there we are safe, and can never be injured. We cannot rest on our graces, on our comforts, on our friends, or on our possessions; but we may rest on Jesus. We should rest on Him with unshaken confidence and

In the ark, the weary dove
Found a welcome resting place;
Thus my spirit longs to prove,
Rest in Christ, the Ark of grace.

And many resorted unto him, and said , John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.–John 10:41

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow , of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. –Phil. 2:10-11

That dear friend is our blessed hope. The very thought of it should color our thinking in regards to everything. It should infuse us with courage and give perfect peace in the worst of times. Knowing the best is yet to come helps us endure in our hour of suffering. Amid all the “bad news” of our day, this is the bright light that puts it all in perspective. A. W. Tozer said it well:
Many people continue to live in daily fear that the world “is coming to an end.” Only in the Scriptures do we have the description and prediction of the age-ending heavenly and earthly events when our Lord and Savior will be universally acknowledged as King of kings and Lord of lords. God’s revelation makes it plain that in “that day” all will acclaim Him “victor!” Human society, generally, refuses to recognize God’s sovereignty or His plan for His redeemed people. But no human being or world government will have any control in that fiery day of judgement yet to come. John’s vision of things to come tells us clearly and openly that at the appropriate time this world will be taken away from men and placed in the hands of the only Man who has the wisdom and authority to rightly govern. That Man is the eternal Son of God, the worthy Lamb, our Lord Jesus Christ!

– – – Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?- – – Numbers 11:23

No: what He hath done, He can do; and all He hath promised, or His people need, He will do. He has all power. He knows no difficulty. Why then are we cast down? Because we do not believe His word, depend simply on His veracity, and expect all we need from His hand.

He was displeased with Moses when he questioned His power, and He is displeased with us when we doubt His love, distrust His providence, or ask, “How can this thing be?” Whatever may be your difficulty, trial, or want, plead with the Lord, and confidently expect deliverance; and if any temptation is presented to weaken your faith, rouse your fears, or disturb your tranquility, meet it with this question, “Is the Lord’s hand waxed short?”

Beloved, look not to the hand of man, but simply look to the hand of God; man may disappoint you, God will not. He is faithful that promised. He is a God at hand. He will be near you throughout this day; His hand is able and ready to help you; therefore trust, and be not afraid.

In heaven, and earth, and air, and seas,
He executes His firm decrees;
And by His saints it stands confess’d,
That what He does is ever best;
Then on His powerful arm rely,
And He will bring salvation nigh.–James Smith

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. — James 1:2-3

It sounds unreasonable and impossible, but as believers we are commanded to “count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations”. We see the reason for this only if we consider the result— “the trying of your faith worketh patience”. Your calamity can create Christian character. God gives this command because He knows, given a choice, we would never choose the road that leads to difficulty and pain. We want ease and comfort. We would take the easy route and miss out on the benefit that can only come from hard trials. So, God lets us know that we have a responsibility to “count it all joy”. He doesn’t ask our permission before He allows these things to come into our lives. He knows we need them and He sends them without any invitation. And He expects us to receive them without complaint.

Although our trials aren’t pleasant, knowing that God has a reason for them, a reason in our best interest, we should do as He commands– “count it all joy”. But, I must warn you, this isn’t easy— you’re going to need help. The good news is that the same God who allows these things to come and commands us to count it all joy, also enables us to do it. Although it seems unreasonable and impossible, His grace will be sufficient. When we put Him first and yield ourselves to His control He enables us to do what we never could do on our own.

Whether we succeed at this or not depends on what we consider to be most important. Warren Wiersbe wrote: “Our values determine our evaluations. If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us. If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to ‘count it all joy!’. If we live only for the present and forget about the future, the trials will make us bitter, not better”.

So the question is— what do you value most? If being conformed to the image of Christ is your greatest desire, as it should be, then you will consider your trials to be friends rather than foes. You will be able to rejoice because you see them as the means to the end. You know that the experience may be grievous, but the end will be glorious!