Comfort and Rest

"Snuggle in God’s arms. When you are hurting, when you feel lonely, left out, let Him cradle you, comfort you, reassure you of His all-sufficient power and love." (Kay Arthur)

"To every toiling, heavy-laden sinner, Jesus says, ‘Come to me and rest.’ But there are many toiling, heavy-laden believers, too. For them this same invitation is meant. Note well the words of Jesus, if you are heavy-laden with your service, and do not mistake it. It is not, ‘Go, labour on,’ as perhaps you imagine. On the contrary, it is stop, turn back, ‘Come to me and rest.’ Never, never did Christ send a heavy-laden one to work; never, never did He send a hungry one, a weary one, a sick or sorrowing one, away on any service. For such the Bible only says, ‘Come, come, come.’" (James Hudson Taylor)

I ran across these quotes at the Heart of Wisdom website this week. I love what they say about God's comfort and rest. They remind me of one of my favorite verses...Isaiah 40:11. "He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young." A friend sent this verse to me right before my dad died, and it was so comforting throughout the days afterward to think of God carrying us close to His heart as His lambs. I love the Kay Arthur quote about *snuggling in His arms*. What a beautiful word picture! Recently I have also been encouraged by the last part of the verse..."He gently leads those that have young." I so need to remember that whether I am planning lessons for our homeschooling, dealing with child training issues, or concerned about a particular need a child has, God is gently leading, and He will provide direction if I will follow.

What a blessing to know that He is there waiting to give us rest, if we will just *come*.

Visit Sheryl at Taking the Challenge for more Faith-Lift Fridays.