Have Heavy Burdens and Great Trials?
Our hearts must be melted into tenderness and love for one another. We may criticise ourselves just as severely as we please. The one who criticises another gives evidence that he is the very one who needs to criticise himself. Let us pray to God to show you what we must remove from ourselves in order that we may see the kingdom of God. I want to see Jesus. I love him, and I want to behold his matchless charms. So do you. Let us show to the world that there is joy in believing in Christ that his joy is in us, and our joy is full. When we consider Jesus, the propitiation for our sins, shall we let him plead with us in vain? Shall we refuse to deny self. We should preserve every power of mind and body, to work to his name's glory. There is a crown for the overcomer. We want it! Do we want to run the race with patience? Then let us behold His purity, and we will be charmed and will reflect His likeness. That is what God wants us to do.
So many are weighed down with the cares and disappointments and troubles of this life. Carry these troubles to Jesus, He says,
"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest," Rest.-- this is what we want. It is found only in Jesus.
"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." He says, "I will give you rest...." but there is something more for us. We have a lesson to learn. "Learn of me," how to find rest. It is in our meekness and lowliness, it is in denying self and following Christ, that we find rest. Do you think it is a terrible burden to follow Christ? He says,
"My yoke is easy and my burden is light." What makes the burden light? -- Because you are yoked up with Christ. What makes the yoke easy? -- Because he lifts with you, and you are co-operating with him.
Let us behold Jesus and be changed into His image from glory to glory. Then our great burdens and trials will be light. Jesus promises!!