Eureka!
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. ~Matthews 11:29
The word "Eureka" literally means “I have found it!” It is an exclamation attributed to Archimedes upon discovering a method for determining the purity of gold. Gold prospectors who came to the west in the mid-1800’s frequently used this word when they uncovered or hit gold. "Eureka" is an exclamation of excitement upon an important discovery. The Greek word for "find" is the word “heurisko” from which we get Eureka. When we place our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have discovered the true source of rest for our souls.
There is the principle of rest.
By "rest," we are referring to a cessation from our anxieties, dissatisfactions, insecurities, struggles, and worries. Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ can guarantee us the rest that we need from the war within us. Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me.” To take implies acceptance and faith. It implies no more self-dependence. It implies complete submission and surrender. There is rest from the condemnation of sin. There is rest from the control of sin. There is rest from our struggles dominating us. There is rest from trying to overcome our fears in our power. Faith in the Lord Jesus enables us to receive this rest.
There is the practice of rest.
We are admonished in Hebrews 4:11 to labor to enter into that rest. We must be always cognizant of when we become depleted in our soul. Jesus told His disciples to come apart into a desert place and rest a while. He was saying that we must come apart so we do not fall apart! The laboring to enter into rest demands that we take time to nourish our soul in the Word of God. Lack of feeding results in a lack of rest. It demands that we come boldly before the throne of grace that we might find grace to help in time of need. Is your soul depleted and in need of rest?
There is the provision in rest.
When we attain this rest, we have a peace that surpasses all understanding. There is the provision of perfect peace. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." There is the provision of great peace. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." There is the provision of conquering peace. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Eureka! I have found it! Yes, when we find this rest, it is a great discovery. It is not found in intoxicants, indulgences, intellectualism, income, or influence. It is found only when we place our faith in the Lord. Stop carrying a yoke that holds you down. Give your burdens to the Lord, and discover perfect rest for your soul. When you have done so, then you too can exclaim, "Eureka!"
Have a rest-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Matthew 27-28