It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. (Psa 127:2)
As we see the day of Christ’s return fast approaching, there is much in the news that would cause a person to worry. But it is worthless, fruitless, empty and unsatisfying when one stays up late and gets up early to worry. I never gained a moment’s pleasure or peace from worrying. The Lord emphasizes in today’s verse how futile it is to worry. In fact, the Lord promises His beloved children rest! (Matthew 11:28-30)
God does not promise this wonderful rest to the unsaved. How do I know that? The verse says that His beloved receive sleep. Remember, the moment we are born again, we become the children of God.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (Rom 8:16)
We are His beloved! A search to the word “beloved” in the New Testament will show that the Scriptures were always referring to the brethren in Christ. The child of God does not have to worry because we have a loving Father who desires that we find rest in Him! That is why today’s verse says it is vain to worry!
Noah Webster defines the word vain as:
Empty; worthless; having no substance, value or importance.Fruitless; ineffectual. All attempts, all efforts were vain.
Empty; unsatisfying. The pleasures of life are vain.
False; deceitful; not genuine; spurious. James 1.
Since I became a mother, so many Scriptures seemed clearer to me. What would I think if my children stayed up nights worrying? I would be devastated if I discovered they were worrying! But most importantly, I would wonder why my child feels he cannot turn those worries over to his parents. I can just imagine how our Heavenly Father feels when we take upon our own shoulders the cares of this world which have not even happened yet. Our Father in Heaven loves us so much and wants so much to provide for us and comfort us. Why do we insist on taking this worry upon ourselves? I have heard that 85% of what we worry about doesn’t even come to past; the other 15% weren’t worth worrying over. The time and effort spent in worrying could easily have been spent in the word and finding comfort there. The Lord has so many golden nuggets in His word that will calm our spirit and fretful heart. We just have to search them out.
Matt. 11:28-30, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (28 ) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (29) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (30)
What better verses can there be that prove God’s character and desire to give us peace? After reading these verses, I decided to do a phrase search for “give rest” and have listed some below. I need not say anything more; let God’s word speak to your hearts!
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (Exo 33:14) God’s presence goes with us (His Holy Spirit) and provides rest.
Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. (1 Chr 22:9) We find much rest from the book of Proverbs if we heed its warnings.
That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. (Psa 94:13) The chastened man receives rest from the days of affliction.
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. (Pro 29:17) We receive rest when we have corrected our children – they will delight us.
And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,(Isa 14:3) Again, the Lord provides more rest from sorrow and fear.
Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name: he shall throughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. (Jer 50:34) Our Redeemer provides rest.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Mat 11:28 ) Jesus, our Redeemer, provides the rest we need.
Dear God…
May I always be looking to You
Until I find comfort in Your care
And rest from my burdens of worry
At Your feet will I lay them there
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