 |
| PAVILION COMFORT ROOM - CONSTRUCTION December 13, 2021 |
“Come to me,
all you who labor and are burdened,
and I will give you rest."
MATTHEW 11:28
Work-related stress and burnout are very common and can have negative impacts on our physical and mental health, as well as our performance and satisfaction at work. Some of the causes of work-related stress and burnout are excessive workload, lack of control, lack of support, lack of recognition, and lack of balance between work and personal life.
Our Lord Jesus Christ invites us all who are weary and burdened by the troubles of life, to come to Him and find rest for our souls. He promises to teach us His ways, which are gentle and humble, and to give us a light and easy yoke. A yoke is a wooden beam that connects two animals, such as oxen, to pull a load together. In this metaphor, Jesus is saying that He will share the burden of His followers and make it easier for them to follow God’s will.
Jesus said to the crowds: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves. For My yoke is easy, and my burden light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
God will renew our strength and enable us to overcome our difficulties, as long as we trust in Him and wait for His deliverance even when we face difficulties or challenges. We should rely on God’s grace and promises, rather than on our own abilities or circumstances. God assures us that He is with us, He is for us, and He will never leave us nor forsake us. Strength in the Lord helps us overcome fear, anxiety, and doubt. It enables us to endure hardship, suffering, and persecution.
To whom can you liken me as an equal? Says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these things. He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name. By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! Why, O Jacob, do you say, and declare, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God”? Do you not know or have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint nor grow weary, and his knowledge is beyond scrutiny. He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak he makes vigor abound. Though young men faint and grow weary, and youths stagger and fall, they that hope in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar as with eagles’ wings; they will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint. (Isaiah 40:25-31)
God heals our physical, emotional, and spiritual afflictions. God will restore our health and heal our wounds, even when we face oppression and rejection (Jeremiah 30:17). Let us trust in Him and pray for His will to be done. At all times, let us bless and thank the Lord for His mercy and grace. He heals us from our depression and anxiety.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. He pardons all your iniquities; he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction; he crowns you with kindness and compassion. Merciful and gracious is the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in kindness. Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. (Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10)
Lord, when I am weak, You are my strength. When I am afraid, You are my refuge. When I am lost, You are my guide. When I am broken, You are my healer. When I am weary, You are my rest. When I am hopeless, You are my hope. You are the source of my strength, the reason for my joy, the purpose of my life, the lover of my soul, the giver of my grace, the maker of my faith.
I trust in You, Lord, with all my heart. I lean not on my own understanding. I acknowledge you, Lord, in all my ways. You make my paths straight and smooth. I follow You, Lord, with all my soul. You lead me to green pastures and still waters.
You are my strength, Lord, and I praise You. You are my strength, Lord, and I thank You. You are my strength, Lord, and I love You. You are my strength, Lord, and I need You. You are my strength, Lord, and I worship You. You are my strength, Lord, and I serve You. Amen
Pericope:
IV: Opposition from Israel
THE GENTLE MASTERY OF CHRIST
Matthew 11:28-30
I: The Lord's Glory in Israel's Liberation
POWER OF THE CREATOR TO SAVE HIS PEOPLE
Isaiah 40:25-31
Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106
PRAISE OF DIVINE GOODNESS
Psalm 103:1-22