“To whom He said, “This is the rest with which you may cause the weary to rest” (Isaiah 28:12). 

God speaks to the weary. His words of encouragement are directed towards them to raise up their spirits. It is a rest that continues in the midst of work. Too many busy themselves with efforts to achieve their dreams yet ruin the possibility of reaching the heights which lie beyond their own imaginations. What a high price many pay in order to obtain what they consider to be their ultimate goals? Yet the best goal ever envisioned is like standing before an anthill in contrast to Mount Everest. God speaks to those who tire themselves in trying to do great things yet do not know Him or the power that He alone possesses. They flex their muscles as weak as they are, but cannot find the strength to even live long enough to participate in their dreams. God’s objective is for each of us to become what He has in mind. Only when our Creator is pleased will we find true and lasting pleasure. All else will keep one in an endless pursuit of wanting more than he has, wanting to do more than he is capable of, and wearied by his efforts to achieve what is not possible. There is rest for the weary. There is peace for the soul. The unrest within remains as long as other things are pursued. 

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). 

God has dispensed from Heaven an abundance of His grace. Where sin and spiritual blindness abounded, only what one had grown accustomed to was known. Grace came to teach us that our old nature must be denied. How could one ever be freed from what he once defended because it defined him? It is the grace that has appeared in order to show us that a new life was possible. When it came on the scene, it opened our eyes to know that heaven’s order should become earth’s greatest dream. The slave can at least see freedom in order for freedom to be desired. That desire for something beyond our current patterns of living is responded to and then we are empowered to aim higher, above the level of ungodly and worldly lusts. Each day we will embrace all the more God’s standard of righteousness thus rising above our own. It is the grace that has appeared that produces the salvation that we so desperately need. 

We see that life in Jesus Christ. He modeled perfect humanity before us teaching us what it really means to be human. Then He shows us that grace is not cheap. He paid the penalty for our sin with His life. It was not cheap grace but very costly for it cost the life of our Lord and Savior. The entrance of the grace of God as a gift to us appeared through the person of Jesus Christ over two thousand years in order to provide the way to salvation. First the question was raised by humanity in relation to his lost condition. The Law made us aware that a need remained unmet because God’s demand was not clearly known. Now that we know what the Lord requires and our inadequacy in fulfilling those requirements, we now have the mind to look beyond ourselves. What the world so desperately needed has appeared to all men. Salvation has come through the One who leads us to the place and the provision of God. In this new place we have a love for the truth which empowers us to resist the passions working against our relationship with God. Even if we are tempted by the devil we love Jesus Christ more than whatever evil alternatives may be offered. In contrast to what we would by our old nature succumb to, we live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. As we look to Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, we maintain our focus and do not lose hope. Not only will we be saved spiritually, but our souls and bodies will ultimately be redeemed. 

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:3). 

There is a higher and a greater level of understanding that comes as result of faith. It is not blind and misguided but rather, sure and applicable to all aspects of life. The theories that surface from time to time require faith in speculations. More effort is required to disprove what is made evident than what a person of faith in God is convinced of. All that he believes is anchored on the truth that God is. There is first cause, something that came forth from out of nothing. How many philosophers and secular scientists have wrestled against this most important truth merely to end up with nothing but a sea of questions? One does not have to force himself to believe that God is. The evidence of His existence is all around us. It is those who are wise in their own eyes who would allow their minds to imagine a godless world. The worlds were in fact framed by the word of God. That which emanated from God created all things. God spoke the worlds into existence. Therefore, the more significant element of life is God’s Word to us. He has spoken and continues to speak, creating newness of life where void and deadness once occupied. When we trust in His Word, we are able to comprehend by faith mysteries hidden in God for those who are born of Him. 

”These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual” (1Corinthians 2:13-14). 

All that is called wisdom may be lacking the potency to change one’s life for the better. There is practical wisdom that may assist in one coping or even managing what is already there. But for a permanent change to occur there has to be the instructions in wisdom that comes from above. Wisdom that comes from above has no earthly references. Nothing can be compared to the depth and wealth of spiritual things. These are the intangibles that affect all that is seen, heard, or experienced. The teacher is the Holy Spirit Himself. He instructs the heart so that it embraces what would otherwise be foolishness to those who think they already have the answers. He first must raise new questions and spiritual inquiries must be made. Without the hunger and thirst for righteousness, God’s standard for living, even His Word will be reduced to what is manageable by man. Because the Holy Spirit has dealt deeply within the heart, there is the pursuit for wisdom that God will never ignore. He gives it liberally and does not reprimand the individual making the request. He walks in the wisdom of God and is over time, transformed into a living expression of it. 

“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). 

There is a position in Christ where His love, and the benefits of His love, are made known. The greatest of these is for what is from Him to be given expression through us without any fleshly interference. The competition between the flesh and the spirit remains while we live our lives daily. There are many things vying for our attention. A steady diet of the Word of God is required to purge us of the thoughts and passions that would otherwise mislead us. To be raised with Christ is the prerequisite of the soul’s condition. 

Only those who are born again are enabled to see that there is a Sovereign God to rule the soul who has positioned them in a different place. They seek those things which are from on high because they have obtained wisdom from Him who rules the heavens and the earth. Through Him we attain wisdom and a discipline to pursue righteousness, rather than selfish endeavors. Only those who are delivered from self are able to understand this. True understanding is veiled to unbelievers since wisdom is hidden from those who think themselves to be too wise and prudent to open their eyes, minds, and hearts and believe. Yet, Christ will provide the evidence of true wisdom and His enduring treasures in the fullness of time. 

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily” (Isaiah 28:16). 

With all that the Church and the believers must suffer in these last days, doubt may enter into the minds of many. Evil appears to triumph over good and support for what is wrong outweighs the support of the truth. Yet God has made a promise to His people. His foundation is sure for He knows His own. The foundation stone or touchstone of the Lord has been laid in Zion which represents the Church. It is the support of all that God is erecting. He will hold His Church together to weather the storms of adversity because His very life is invested in her. This is the hope of the believer, not to be a reactionary to the sudden storms that may arise from time to time, for our lives are anchored in the hope of His promises. God will have the final word, but we must endure to the end. The time will come when what in the past has been ignored will be greatly treasured. People will flock to hear the Word of the Lord when all that they have heard in their past has failed them. Not only will they hear but also see the glory of the Lord rising upon His people. 

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32). 

Those who are drawn to Jesus by the Spirit are kept by the Spirit. The mysterious attraction of the cross of Christ produces within the heart of the believer a willingness to follow after Him even when circumstances are difficult. They see the sacrifice that He has made in contrast to the challenges that lie before them and compare all in light of what Jesus Christ has already done. This is not the easy belief(ism) of our day where many are attracted to the trappings of success in this life and the praise that comes from others. It is a heart commitment to fully follow Christ in all that He may assign as a part of our journey. They lifted Him up as an enemy to their doctrines and lifestyles by crucifying Him. He transformed what would have been defeat into victory. Now the message of the cross of Jesus must be preached throughout the world in order for many to be drawn by dimensions of love never known before. Love was the motive for Him to die for our sins which were many. It is the acknowledgement of sin and its effect upon our lives and our world that would bring one to understand the necessity of His sacrifice. Are you drawn to Christ today? He was lifted up and His message is now being preached throughout the world providing an opportunity for you to be delivered out of the bondage of sin and its affect to the glorious liberty that only He is able to provide. 

“Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, ’Sir, we wish to see Jesus’ ” (John 12:21). 

Religious activity today has been involved with many causes. They tell us to be more relevant so that the Church may establish her position in society. Many leaders have risen to the occasion with the valor and courage to fight for what they believe, while others have affirmed the humanity and self-existence of mankind having rights and privileges given to them by God to enjoy life, or rather exploit this planet and its inhabitants for the sake of personal pleasure and gain. We have the selfless heroes of our day and the selfish demagogues who only seek fame and fortune for themselves. Yet in their pursuits for what they want to achieve they remain vain and left without any eternal merit because Jesus would not have His place of prominence established among them. In the midst of the hurrying crowd looking for a reason to embrace something that will give life meaning, we wish to see Jesus. He alone is able to provide what we really need. He guides us to ask the right questions so that in our seeking answers we may discover what really matters. Preachers, preach Jesus! There are too many options before us to choose when we are in preparation to address the crowd who has come to hear us. As we say to ourselves, He will take His rightful place among us and do what He alone is able to do. 

“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). 

There is an unfathomable degree of both wisdom and knowledge made available to any who would be willing to seek after it. Paul on other occasions spoke of height, depth, and breadth, indicating that there are dimensions awaiting exploration by those who would remain discontent at any level. His love is the basis for all that He knows and provides. Simply speaking, Jesus Christ has an abundance of ways to express His love towards us. He clears the path of sin thus revealing His true nature by judging it. He allows the disobedient and misguided to mercifully remain for a while even though their works are counterproductive. His patience is expressed over and over again towards the worst of us. His exceeding goodness and glory extends beyond the limits of the best of us. We cannot explore all there is to understand in millions of lifetimes. Therefore throughout all eternity God will be revealing to us His wisdom and knowledge that we may know what is seen today only through tinted mirrors. When He appears, we shall see Him as He is and know the dimensions of His wisdom applied to situations that we may have thought were unknowable. Yet even today we have the opportunity to consider Him as our Sovereign and submit to His ways. 

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). 

What God began in you required your dedication to His cause. He saw you struggling in your own strength, trying to make life make sense. When your attempts to hold things together began to falter and your goals for the future began to crumble, He took the broken pieces of your failures and fallen world and replaced them with a new and living way. He wanted to sanctify you. He wanted the whole of you to be given over to the whole of Him. When He is given your whole spirit, He gives it new life. When He is given your soul, He lifts your countenance with a lively hope. When He is given your body, He uses it as seed for a glorious, resurrected body fit for eternity. He says to you now, “Let Me have your life. Only when it is set apart for My exclusive use will it ever experience the peace that you so desperately pursue.”