“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 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. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28–30).

No one in history has pronounced such a gracious uplifting invitation as the Lord Jesus Christ in these three verses of Scripture. And, throughout history, no one has had a greater number of faithful followers than He. His martyrs of the ages died with smiles at their future in Heaven’s glory and with relief from earth’s miseries.

Every human being experiences fear at times; stress is present even in the loveliest homes and most successful businesses, sometimes with no apparent reason. Goals selfishly set may remain unreached! Idealism may be present, but realism sours its grandeur. Depressed, some head for skid row; others vent their agony; still others lose their purpose in life. For a few, death seems more desirable than life, and they terminate their earthly existence—not realizing what lies ahead!

But for the one who has personally accepted the Lord Jesus, the second person of the Godhead, as Savior and Lord, trials can turn into victories. Some of the martyrs of days gone by went to their deaths singing and will have a place of special honor in their heavenly home. All can rest in Matthew 11:28–30, if they have trusted Jesus Christ for their salvation. They can rest in faith on the promises of God’s word: “Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (I Peter 1:5,6). He is more than Savior; He is Lord, comforter, supplier, helper and rewarder. JLG