Pastor’s Thoughts 05/30/2026

Our Lord Jesus spoke these words in an immediate context of the fact that all authority has been given to Him by the Father. Paul says in Colossians 1:17, “He is before all things and in Him all things hold together.” Knowing this, these words are not just among the most wonderful in Scripture but are also among the most powerful. It is an invitation to come to the sovereign God of all glory and there find true rest in Him. Our church family has many trials, and such are continuous in our lives. I have often stated to Jan that I am thankful that the difficulties we each face do not all happen at once. We know this is because Christ is sovereign over our circumstances. And here we find in this promise of Christ what we are to do when we are beat down and weary. We are to come to Him to find rest for our souls.

The primary meaning of this text is referring to salvation itself, as our Lord was speaking to those Jews caught up and weary in keeping laws and rules that can never save. But the theme of this passage remains consistent with the reality that all things in life are dependent upon Christ. He is the One to come to with all our cares and all our concerns. He is not only our eternal salvation but truly our “All in All” (1 Cor. 15:28). The on-going reality of living in this fallen world revolves around our relationship of total dependence upon Him. No person can live successfully apart from Him. He is the One who stated, “In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When Christ states in our text, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,” He is saying “Trust Me,” not your own efforts. No person can successfully fight the battles of this life apart from Him. The Savior means that His restraints are mild, and gentle, because they are by grace and in wisdom. They require our trust upon Him who is worthy and able. In trusting Him we find our new life, new strength, and true rest. Our problems will not erase, and we will be tested, for we continue to groan as Paul says in this present world; but Christ supplies true hope that looks not only at the immediate, but beyond into glory.

I recently checked statistics online which I find difficult to consider. Government statistics reveal that from 2001 to 2023 among the military personnel and veterans more than 139,000 died by suicide. This is more than 6,000 annually, and the total in these years are more than the combined numbers killed in combat from Vietnam, Korea, Iraq, and Afghanistan. The serious nature of this statistic reveals humanities need. It shows the difficulty of living our lives in this fallen world. Our trials originated with the sin of our parents. We are born sinners. God told us what things would be like in Genesis 3 in a world dominated by sin. We must endure life under all manner of difficulties while knowing the reality of our ultimate physical failure will lead to death. Peter warns us, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). Peter is reminding us that trials are to be expected and are necessary during the course of this life. These are normal for life in this fallen world, and for Christians they are a source of testing our faith.

Today this generation has many physical blessings that even the wealthiest did not possess during my childhood. These are useful, and I am thankful for them, but the trials and difficulties underlying living are still present and more so as society has moved away from God. There are no statistics on suicide in years long past, but it was not epidemic. It is obvious that with all our technology and modern conveniences, we cannot overcome the world. There was a popular hymn a few years ago which sums up what is necessary. The lyrics are, “Every day they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes. Empty people filled with care headed who knows where, on they go through private pain, living fear to fear. Laughter hides their silent cries.” Then the chorus states, “People need the Lord. At the end of broken dreams, He’s the open door. People need the Lord.”

I have written this devotion not to sound despondent or as some would say, negative. Most people live and focus on living as though life is all about being happy and comfortable and when it isn’t, they fall apart. All of us naturally want good things, but we know such things now are temporary and fickle in this life. Instead, where is a mindset of peace found when life’s inevitable storms occur? Truly seeing reality can only be understood or measured when we search and embrace the Scriptures. True peace, true endurance, is found in Jesus Christ alone. He has promised a supernatural calmness in our trials that nothing else or no one else can offer. It does not mean that we will not have trials, or that we will enjoy our difficulties, or that they will not be hard. It does mean that we will be overcomers by Him and in Him. We also know this life is a temporary journey and that we in Christ have a glorious eternal future ahead in God’s presence, and in His presence is the fullness of joy forevermore. People need the Lord!