COME

TAKE

LEARN

FIND

I remember school grammar lessons when we regularly recited a little phrase, which for mortal time remained on the frontal cortex ( memory store ) of my brain: a verb is a doing word.

There are ‘doing words’ in scripture that, mixed with faith, encourage recall at most vulnerable moments.

Dear friends experienced a severe financial disappointment which overwhelmed their hopes and longings for them and their family. While parents and friends prayed and counselled them, their deepest consolation came from their God. Bravely they affirmed

‘We expect God to come to us, but we truly benefit as we COME in faith to Him. We do not understand but we trust God.’

‘TAKE My yoke upon you.’

My husband once watched a donkey yoked with an ox, with chaotic results as each animal pulled in different directions, or at varying paces. A yoke is a coupling or a beam of balance. Therefore, a believer yoked , coupled with God through the Lord Jesus Christ lives a restful, balanced life. Paul reminds of that great mystery or secret which came to light after the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘Christ in you the hope of glory.’ We are joined and coupled to Christ, who is the Burden-bearer, and the Rest-giver.

A farmer once shouldered his heavy sack of wheat as he shuffled along the road. Along came another farmer in his horse-drawn wagon, who offered a ride to the tiring man. The grateful farmer climbed into the wagon, still bearing the sack on his back. He would not set the bag on the floor, so he forfeited the relief of the heavy bag of wheat.

How often we cast our burden on the Lord, but continue to bear it!

LEARN OF ME. Learning is a continual process. Following a Bible study, a new christian said to me, ‘Mrs S., you must know everything.’ I realised how joyful this young Mum responded to the teaching, but I smiled and assured her that christians continue learning to the end of their days.

And how rich is the daily experience of reading the scriptures to find a new thought which draws me to a deeper faith and understanding of God. 'Learn of Me’ becomes an exciting exercise with the humble attitude of a learner with a willingness to mature in knowledge, understanding, wisdom and grace, as we follow Jesus’ example of meekness and humility.

I enjoy filling a notebook with new discoveries which God pours into my mind from His Word. As I look back over years I rediscover the delight of former truth, as I flick through those pages.

We resemble the lad with the out-sized message on his T-shirt. ‘Please be patient with me. God hasn’t finished with me yet.’ As we learn of Him, appropriate His promises, and heed God’s warnings and instructions, obeying His laws and commands, trusting Him for our daily needs, we reap God’s reward to FIND REST AND PEACE.

It may appear a simple exercise, but daily God’s grace and peace are available when we Come, Take ( by faith ) , Learn, so that we find the help, comfort, provision, guidance, encouragement when we take hold of the yoke, the balancing rod, of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Read Matthew 11:28-30