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. Matthew 11:28-29

Summertime, with its hectic outdoor schedule, can leave us all exhausted.

It reminds me of an old story about an Indian chief who was fleeing a prairie fire. With his tribe, he crossed a broad river, planted his tent pole into the ground, and cried, "Alabama!"

For those of you who may find your Indian translation skills a little rusty, his word translates, "Here we may rest!" Unfortunately, the chief didn't have the gift of prophecy. Hostile tribes soon conquered them, and their lives ended in the spot they thought they would call home.

There are quite a few of us right now who would like to say, "Alabama, here we may rest."

Unfortunately, as soon as we plant our tent stake and think we've got everything organized, something unexpected sweeps over us. Rest is elusive.

God thinks that life is supposed to be more than running away and trying to find peace.

The Lord has promised that those who are brought to faith in His Son can truly and really say, "In Jesus we may rest."

Now, I don't know how your life is going right now, but I do hope that if you feel you're continuously running, you will take a look at the rest God has promised, and, believing Him, trust He will bring about what he has promised.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"




THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Scripture tells me life is supposed to be more than running away. You have promised that those who are brought to You in faith will be given true rest. I come to You in prayer and rejoice that here - - in Your love and sure promise of salvation - - I may rest. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Ecclesiastes 4-6    Acts 9:23-43

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