Scriptures That Have Gripped My Heart: Matthew 11:28-30

Scriptures That Have Gripped My Heart

Matthew 11:28-30

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

As we read or hear the Word of God, many times the Holy Spirit will quicken a particular passage and cause it to become powerful in our lives.   I now  enjoy sharing some of those scriptures that have gripped my heart and transformed me by the renewing my mind (Romans 12:2).

It was not the threat of hell that brought me into salvation and a relationship with God the Father through the gateway of His Son. It was the promise of the strength and the rest necessary to ease the burdens of this life. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you 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" (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV).

I was young and healthy, but also weary and heavy laden.  Though I had read the passage before, at that juncture in my life, the words became living water to me. “Rest” in this passage comes from the Greek word meaning “refreshing”.  Not only are we born again when we accept Jesus, we become “fresh again” as we walk with Him.

He refreshes our souls.  Our souls are our minds, our wills and our emotions. When life seems to overwhelm us, we can come into a bondage of negativity that can burden our souls and weary our inner beings.

When we receive His refreshing of our souls, our bodies are strengthened and refreshed as well.  Our circumstances may not change, but we may find them less stressful, less burdensome.

“Through the LORD'S mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV).  

Life often consumes us.  Our merciful Lord refreshes us.

His yoke is easy.  His is a double yoke and He, being gentle and humble, carries the greater part of the load.  The apostle Peter wrote,  ”Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV).

Life often burdens us.  Our humble Savior asks us to lay our burdens down so He can pick them up.

I have walked in this scripture for many years.  For just as many years I have been learning to enter more and more into His rest.  I am still a work in process, but the process is proving to be effective.

Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus

By Helen H. Lemmel

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s a light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.