“The peace of God is found in the presence of a person.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 20, 2025
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30, ESV
Study after study reveals a consistent trend in our society: we are a chronically anxious generation. The reasons are varied, from economic pressures to digital habits, but the trend is undeniable. People live with a baseline anxiety that is hard to ignore, and seemingly even harder to heal. And yet, as Christians, the timeless invitation of Matthew 11 stands before each of us, welcoming us into a place of endless peace, safety, and comfort.
The peace of God is found in the presence of a person. Yet if we refuse to dwell in his presence, we by our own actions and decisions choose to live apart from the peace that is continually on offer. A life of peace is possible, but it requires our willingness to leave one way of life behind for the sake of another.
Christ does not force his peace upon us.
“Rest for your souls” is the promise of a life lived in the presence of Jesus. Yet a restful soul that is not swayed by the anxieties of our world requires a daily attentiveness to the habits and patterns of our lives. If we say we’ve taken on Christ’s yoke and are living as his apprentices, yet spend our days endlessly scrolling and burdened by the cares of this world, we’ve offered our Lord lip service while failing to truly take his words to heart.
Life with Christ and anxious toil cannot coexist. At the risk of overstating it, if our lives are defined by anxious toil, could it be that we are not as close to Christ as we might think? This is not a statement of judgment, but is instead a reminder to return to the mercy that is always extended to you and to me. Our Lord longs to give each of us rest for our souls. Let us hear his words afresh and believe them to be true!
Prayer
Father, keep us close to Christ today that we may be set free from our fears and anxieties and instead find the rest for our souls that he promises to everyone who follows after him. Amen.
Application
How can you respond to Christ’s invitation today to draw near so that you will find rest for your weary soul?
Related Reading
Isaiah 26:3; Jeremiah 6:16; Philippians 4:6-7
Worship Resource
Jenn Johnson: Come To Me
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