II Thessalonians 2:17
“comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”
The song wayfaring stranger speaks of how we are walking through this world of woe. It describes it as full of sickness, toil and danger. Our hearts need to be comforted and strengthened.
Jesus said in John 16:33, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” He said earlier in John 15:19, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.”
Our hearts grow weary under such pressure. Hate is a strong word which provokes bad feelings on the recipient. God provides strength and comfort. It’s easy to feel isolated and demoralized.
The Lord directs us not to focus there. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.” This our part in the strengthening process.
Jesus speaks more about how He gives strength in Matthew 11:29, “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.” Oddly enough, to gain His rest we need to take on His yoke and learn. A yoke implies work. We have to work to get His rest. This sounds like an oxymoron. However, it’s one of the mysteries of the kingdom.
How do we learn of Him? We read the bible. The gospels are the four accounts of His life and the epistles explain it. The Old Testament explains life in God with the nation of Israel. This is the seed that gets planted in our hearts and minds. As we lives out our days, He brings application to those passages. As we obey Him, He gives His rest.
Lord, thank You for the strength and comfort You provide. Help us to yoke ourselves to You and enjoy the journey.