Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30, Jeremiah 31:7-13, Isaiah 11:6-10
When we had four kids under the age of four, my husband and I were both teaching at a local high school. Our whole life was babies and teenagers. The teenagers played football games on a field so close to our house that we could see the lights and hear the announcer from our bed. But because of the babies, we were always so tired on Friday nights that we couldn’t bear to schlepp all our children across the street to that game. So that’s where we enjoyed those football games—at home, in bed. The bright white stadium lights reflected off our glasses of water, and the play-by-play rattled our bottles of ibuprofen. We were so weary. We felt so old. But we were barely thirty.
There’s always something or someone ready to wear us out. It doesn’t matter how old you are, this old world is full of weariness. Usually it’s people whose behavior has changed abruptly, money that’s turned out to be missing, or the heartbreak of discovering your life isn’t at all what you expected it would be.
Whatever is making your heart weary today, know that you are not alone. Without exception, we all long for comfort and rest. And without exception, we are inclined to look for it in things that will ultimately leave us unfulfilled. True comfort from world weariness only comes from Christ. He is the only source of true rest.
In Matthew 11, Jesus promises rest for the soul to all who “come to Him” (vv.28–30). What an inviting promise! Just show up and you will find rest for you soul. But look at the lives of those who did come to Him: His disciples. They dropped everything, their fishing nets and fathers, and followed Jesus. Did they find rest for their souls? They witnessed miracles and even performed some themselves. They defended Jesus, and they denied Him. They saw up close the one true Messiah, and many of them died for their association with Him. Is this what “rest for your souls” looks like?
In a word, yes. The rest that Christ promises us is not a reprieve from the conflict and complication of the world. But His rest is a change of alignment that gives our souls rest, no matter what weariness is swirling around us.
If you are looking for all trouble to end, you will not find that here on earth. In this world, you will have trouble, but Christ gives us the ultimate promise that, “I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief” (Jeremiah 31:13). There will be so many weary days and so many happy days, but the underscore of all our days is His steady comfort and promise. All of this true rest is found only with the true Messiah, and He invites us, just as the words of this old hymn do—to ”Come, oh come to Me”… Linger then no longer.
Come, Oh, Come to Me
Text: Lizzie Akers, 1902
Tune: James M. Black, 1902
Weary burdened wand’rer,
there is rest for thee,
at the feet of Jesus,
in His love so free;
listen to His message,
words forever blest,
oh, thou heavy laden,
“Come to Me and rest.”
Refrain:
“Come, oh come to Me,
come, oh come to Me,”
Jesus now is waiting, calling
“Come, oh come to Me.”
Bring Him all thy burdens,
all thy guilt and sin,
mercy’s door is open,
rise and enter in.
Jesus there is waiting,
patiently for thee,
hear Him gently calling,
“Come, oh, come to Me.” Refrain
Linger then no longer,
come just now to Him;
ere the shadows gather,
and thy light grows dim.
Thou hast long been waiting
for some better time,
but today He’s calling,
come and claim Him thine. Refrain
He will bid thee welcome,
at the blessed cross,
turn to joy thy mourning,
turn to gold thy dross.
He will lead thee gently,
all along the way,
in the path that shineth,
unto perfect day. Refrain
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60 thoughts on "Come, Oh, Come to Me"
I love the timely word of God in our lives, weariness has been defining me and it’s always wonderful to be reminded I’m not alone and Jesus’s promises are steadfast and true.
Oh praises be to the One who gives us rest in the midst of trials and joy!
God thank you for your reminder that the only way I can find rest from my weary walk is in you! God give me rest and help me remember that you are all I need. Thank you for these words.
Still praying for you Darci, hoping the Lord transforms my words into what He has for you to hear!
This was just what I needed today! I am in college and this week has been full of midterms, but I this was such a good reminder to turn to the Lord for rest, because it will not be found in worldly things.
I powerful and sweet reminder that I needed. I have allowed myself to forget the power in asking”God, give me rest and remind me that you are enough. Thank you!
I am so guilty of trying to find my security, comfort and rest in worldly things. This was a good reminder (and conviction) that my only security and comfort come from the Lord. Forgive me for seeking rest and security in other things than You, Lord. This was also timely as we have had some major bills come up with a broken AC and now my vehicle has been in the shop for a week. Just when I think things are going smoothly, something happens. However God is so good because my vehicle is 20 days and 500 miles from being out of the original manufacturer warranty and what ever is wrong will be covered! Life on Earth can feel so weary but I’m thankful for the promise that it is only temporary!
This message could not be more timely. This world is full of disappointment and exhaustion. Though the rest Christ promises us is not a reprieve from the conflict and complication of this world, it is a change of alignment that gives our souls rest. When I come to Jesus and lay it all down at His feet— my perspective is instantly changed. I feel a deep sense of peace that allows me to appreciate all of the wonderful blessings in my life.
Love this! I do need God’s word everyday. Please pray for me as I try to find a church home.
Lifting you up in prayer Tammy, that God would lead you to a church home where you feel His presence and the strong fellowship of other believers.
Love this song! I’m not sure I’ve ever heard it, but I found myself making up a tune as I read it and singing along in my head. Thank you Jesus for bringing peace and comfort to your people, all we have to do is ask.
I love the hymn…I’ve been trying to find the piano music or a YouTube video or something but haven’t been able to. Does anyone know where I might find it?
I found this one on YouTube. https://youtu.be/JYJGPQ-AzIQ
I needed this, especially this week. Thank you Jesus for bearing even my ugliest sins.
Abide in Christ. This seems to be the theme over and over the last few days. Apart from Him I am nothing and can do nothing.
This is so much for me today.
I needed the reminder that being and abiding in Christ is the only way to find true rest when the world is pulling me in 100 different directions.
Could anybody find this song online to listen to?
Go to Spotify and search She Reads Truth – Hymns of Hope. All the songs are on the playlist.
Put Hymn on the end of it and you’ll find it
Sorry that is not the same one. Wow there are lots that are similar
Hi Mary, we did create a Spotify playlist for this plan. You can find a link in our Instagram bio or directly on Spotify by searching “Hymns of Hope by She Reads Truth.” Hope that helps! -Margot, The SRT Team
God is always right on time with his word. I look forward to what I’m going to get out of the word everyday. Today it wasn’t so much for me but for my sister in law (I shared Jeremiah 31:13 with her). I feel blessed to have found this app it really helps me with daily struggles.
I was feeling like the battle was winning…. This process is daunting, but this scripture reminded me that in God I can seek replenishment of my strength to continue to push through. May God bless you all
Great word today!
As a SheReadsTruth newcomer, today’s devotional speaks so clearly to me…..and I am so grateful that Jesus doesn’t just momentarily ease our anxieties, but that He realigns us to His image and purpose! (And to echo Rebecca’s words, I too love seeing how the Bible ties all things together.) May we all be more clearly aligned to His image today!
“True comfort from world weariness only comes from Christ. He is the only source of true rest.”
yes & amen! ✨
I love in the devo how it says, “If you are looking for all trouble to end, you will not find that here on earth….True rest is in the true Messiah.”
AMEN
Welcome. It is wonderful scripture and readings here
Coming to Him for rest and renewing as this exhausting newborn phase of life wears me out.
Lindsey I have been there and I will keep you in my prayers
Isn’t it amazing how God word speaks to us this very day. It truly is the living Word. I thank God that can give me rest and I am so thankful for this reminder today.
I needed these words today. ❤️
Rejoice in these words and in Christ and in God’s Words
May joy and peace be the foundation as we rest our burdens on Him.
AMEN
Amen! May I find rest in Him, and make time to be still and know that He is God, provider of peace. In Him alone I take refuge. If any of you feel so lead, I’d very much appreciate prayers for healing and provision
Lauren I will be praying for you for your healing and provision.
Praying for you Lauren!
The scripture Jeremiah 31:13, “I will turn their mourning into joy, give them consolation, and bring happiness out of grief” reminds of how God and Christ were there for me on September 1, 2003 when my oldest son’s body was found in a near by creek after he had tried to swim across it. He, his best friend and my younger son had gone up to the creek the day after my older son, George’s 18th birthday. They had decided to try to swim across it with out a rope. Even though George was a great swimmer he got tangled up in brush and drowned. Twenty-two hours after he went in they found his body. The creek had been so high that the searchers didn’t find it until the water went down a ways. The last stanza of “Come, Oh, Come To Me” also speaks to me about helping me over the mourning. I do remember the joy George gave us. My other son, Andrew, and I will reminisce about George also. I also remember the good that came at the time of George’s death. Thirteen other lives were saved while they were looking for George that day, these were people that were on the same creek without save jackets. Then at a prayer vigil the night George went into the water, at George and Andrew’s church, 85 people came and of those 85 I was told at least 20 if not more got saved and came to know Christ as their savior. I to this use his story (so do others I have told the story to) to tell youth and young adults that they are not invincible and that God and Christ are there for them. My other verse of scripture that helps me to get through is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” Please pray for me as the 15 anniversary of George’s death and life with Christ comes. I need also need continued prayers for Andrew that he find his way back to Christ. He was almost 15 and witnessed the whole thing and then lost all faith in Christ because he couldn’t understand why Christ and God would let this happen. My sisters in Christ as the 15 anniversary nears my family and I dear closer and need as much prayer as we may receive.
Praying for you and your son. I’ve put you both in my daily prayer book.
Thank you God bless
Lifting you in prayer <3
Thank you God bless
Praying for you Dorothy
Thank you for sharing this Dorothy and we’re so sorry to hear this. Our team is lifting you and your family up in prayer, and are so grateful that you’re a part of our community. -Margot, The SRT Team
❤️
I was thinking about how this connects to the need for healing. A lot of time that exhaustion we have and the rest we so desperately need are tied to pain and hurt we have experienced and what a beautiful Savior we have that promises not just rest but healing too!
Tara you are so right and the healing we need isn’t always physical at times it may be emotional and many times it is spiritual.
I love this. I’ve been searching for healing for a long time this is a good way to look at today’s passage.
Conflict. Complication. Weariness. This is my current season. Those three are indeed swirling around me. I don’t like it. Yet, I have aligned myself to Jesus. I have given Him my allegiance. He is so faithful to give me rest in the midst of unrest. I keep my eyes on Him. I read His words of assurance with gratitude. He is leading and joy is coming. I. Know. It.
I know it too. Amen.
“But His rest is a change of alignment that gives our souls rest, no matter what weariness is swirling around us.” Praise the Lord for His beautiful constancy!
Amen
Amen! He’s the same yesterday, today, and forever! SpRking of walking in alignment, I took a class called the Cleansing Stream. It’s all about walking in alignment: body submitting to soul, soul to spirit, and my spirit, submitting to the Holy Spirit. The book can be found online, but one of the pastor’s taught the class. That’s a great goal to walk in alignment and submit to God’s Will and Plan.
My soul needed to hear these words today. Thank you!
So did mine.
Just show up and you will find rest. Linger and your hope will be renewed. Learn from Him and the path will be laid out.
This also spoke to me. As did the whole song.