39 lines
4.4 KiB
HTML
39 lines
4.4 KiB
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<title>Blue Letter Bible: Day By Day By Grace — Bob Hoekstra</title>
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Day By Day By Grace
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Bob Hoekstra
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August 12
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<h1>Jesus Promising Spiritual Rest</h1>
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<div class="block"><i>"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and <b>I will give you rest</b>. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and <b>you will find rest for your souls</b>. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Mat', 11, '28-30');">Matthew 11:28-30</a>)</div>
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<p>Two of the Lord's <i>"<b>exceedingly great</b> and <b>precious promises</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('2Pe', 1, '4-4');">2 Peter 1:4</a>) are found in our present verses: <i>"<b>I will give you rest</b>"</i> and <i>"<b>you will find rest for your souls</b>."</i> These promises supplement well our earlier studies on God's promises and God's rest. The first promise pertains to justification and spiritual birth. The second pertains to sanctification and spiritual growth.</p>
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<p>The first promise is addressed to those who are struggling under the burden of guilt and condemnation related to sin: <i>"all you who labor and are heavy laden."</i> This is where everyone begins their earthly trek. David testified of this common starting point for humanity. <i>"Behold, I was <b>brought forth in iniquity</b>, And <b>in sin</b> my mother <b>conceived</b> me"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Psa', 51, '5-5');">Psalm 51:5</a>).</p>
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<p>In order to enjoy the benefits of this initial promise of rest, a person must bring their sin and guilt to Jesus. <i>"Come to Me."</i> The Lord Jesus can remove this load of guilt, because He carried that burden of sin for us on the cross. <i>"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and <b>the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all</b>"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Isa', 53, '6-6');">Isaiah 53:6</a>). For all who come to Jesus in humble repentance, forgiveness is granted. The promise is fulfilled. <i>"<b>I will give you rest</b>."</i></p>
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<p>The second promise is addressed to those who have found the initial rest of forgiveness, but their soul is restless. They are struggling under the burden of trying to produce a godly life by their own fleshly resources. <i>"Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now <b>being made perfect by the flesh</b>?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Gal', 3, '3-3');">Galatians 3:3</a>). They yearn for rescue from the crushing load of walking according to the flesh. <i>"<b>Who</b> will <b>deliver</b> me from <b>this body of death</b>?"</i> (<a onClick="return mV('Rom', 7, '24-24');">Romans 7:24</a>).</p>
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<p>In order to enjoy the benefits of this additional promise of rest, a person must yoke up with Jesus (walk with Him in daily intimacy). <i>"Take <b>My yoke</b> upon you and <b>learn</b> from <b>Me</b>."</i> This yoke is not for the purpose of pulling half of the load (like the yoke placed upon two oxen). <i>"My yoke is <b>easy</b> and My burden is <b>light</b>."</i> This is a yoke of relationship and communion. <i>"Learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart."</i> Those who walk this path of growing communion with the Lord have this second promise fulfilled. <i>"<b>You will find rest for your souls</b>."</i></p>
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<div class="dbdbg_prayer">Lord Jesus, I give You praise for granting me rest from the burden of sin's guilt and condemnation. Now, I seek You for that daily rest from a self-striving soul. I want to walk with You intimately, day by day, that I might learn of Your humble ways. I long to walk in humility and faith toward You, my Lord, Amen.</div>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/08/0811.html">Yesterday's Reading</a>
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<a href="./devotions/daybyday/08/0813.html">Tomorrow's Reading</a>
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