Over the years I have learned there is only One worthy to carry our burdens, and if I don't immediately go to Him in prayer, I can become quickly sucked into a miry pit of grief and despair.
Today I remember the words of our Great High Priest, who lives to intercede for us:
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
The watchman, Isaiah, looked ahead and saw this beautiful Savior, who came to give us rest. With a love-sick heart, he penned what he saw long before holy feet met earth:
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
~ Isaiah 53:2-5
For those who are walking wounded, heavy and struggling to see the light today, who think there is no way out:
Look up! To where your help comes from.Go call a friend who loves you. His name is Jesus. He comes to heal the brokenhearted. He knows our pain, cries our tears and walks with us through the hard times as well as the good.
He is not afraid to reach down into our mess, and lift the heavy weight of this world from our shoulders. He promises to carry us through.
And bring joy in the morning. There is hope for all of us. So hold on!
And read this story if you like, of another watchman from Australia, who intercedes in behalf of the desperate. (Click to read.) I guarantee you will be encouraged!
Father, bless your children with eyes and ears to see and hear your hope, your love, your plan for them today. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Painting: one of my favorites from Terri Derocher. Terri has had several of her prophetic paintings displayed in the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. You can see these and others on her web-site, Love Letters from Heaven.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. As taken from Bible Gateway.
Thank you, Melissa, for your words of encouragement. My husband phoned home as I opened your post - he called to tell me that his paycheck was less than $50. I will receive my last unemployment check a week from today. Our prospects would appear as a yoke too heavy to bear (especially on the back of two stroke survivors) - but we are two survivors by the grace of God - and we rejoice in Him.
ReplyDeleteWe have been admonished to praise God in all things and we know that all things work for good for those who believe in Him - even the painful, heavy stuff. When we thank God in all things - all things are possible. Oh for grace to trust Him more.
poignant post. as a counselor of kids, i often take on their issues, their feelings and i know i can not carry them...i have to give them over to the one that can do far more than i can for them....ty.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post! I LOVE your blog! :) Thanks for stopping by mine earlier in the week! That passage in Matthew is so comforting...HE is our Great High Priest that carries all of our burdens! Nice to "meet" you friend!
ReplyDeleteTracy~
Hello Melissa, I adore the book of Isaiah and this from Chapter 53, is very special. We see the whole story here, and its so incrediably sad. Jesus knew what lay before Him and yet He He did what He had to because of His great love for us.My youngest grandson is named Izaiah as it was the first name my son say in the Bible when they were wanting a name for their little one. We call him Zai.
ReplyDeleteThank you for also sharing about Ricky and the many people he has helped find their way from the brink of destruction.. The Gap is well known to most Ozzies, but I have never heard this story of love and kindness before. I appreciate hearing it today. It is very humbling. Hugs CML xxxxxx
@Sharon: So many of us are going through tough times. I realized the other day when talking to a friend who lost her son, that the only way we can walk through the trials and storms of life, and still have praise on our lips is because of Jesus. He is making our testimonies His story--we are the miracles, signs and wonders that will draw men to Him. I pray for you and your husband: blessings, bounty and breakthrough!! May this new year be a reaping of the gratitude you have shown for His grace in the low places! Hugs.
ReplyDelete@Brian: Intercession is a high calling--to be like Jesus and lift the wounded to the healing hands of the Father--so many kids needs someone who will love them this much. I hear God's heart in your words. My prayers are with you. Thanks for stopping to visit. :)
ReplyDelete@ Tracy: So glad you stopped by. Wish we could have a cup of tea together! Bless you, blog-friend! Hope to see you again. :)
ReplyDelete@ Crystal: I love that your grandson is named after my favorite OT prophet! And his nick-name as well! And I love the story about the man who saves those getting ready to jump. Isn't that what Jesus came to do for all of us? Someday I hope to visit your country. My oldest daughter, when she was little, always wanted to marry someone from there. :)