Isaiah 32:2 says that Jesus is like “the shade of a great rock in a weary land.”

For the saint, this world is a weary land — a hard country full of briers and thorns. John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace, said it well: “Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come.”

Despite the wear-and-tear of life in this bitter place, there most assuredly is a sympathy and comfort that only the Christian can know. Whether worn out from indwelling sin, the sins of others, temptations, afflictions, troubles, pressures without, or fears within, weary pilgrims will find safety and refreshment in Christ, the Rock.

Matthew Henry tells us, “The consolations and graces of his Spirit are as rivers of water in this dry land; and as the overhanging rock affords refreshing shade and shelter to the weary traveler in the desert, so his power, truth, and love, yield the believer the only real protection and refreshment in the weary land through which he journeys to heaven.”

This journey may be long and hard, but like the Psalmist, when our hearts are faint we can cry, “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalms 61:2).

I found this hymn yesterday that ministered to me greatly.  I pray it blesses you, too.  I don’t know who the author is and I can’t find anything along the way of its history. If anyone can provide any background I would be most grateful.

If you are weary pilgrim today, may you take refuge in God, your Rock. He will hold us steady to the end!

Weary Pilgrim on Life’s Pathway

Weary pilgrim on life’s pathway
—Struggling on beneath thy load—
Hear these words of consolation,
“Cast thy burden on the Lord.”

Cast thy burden on the Lord!
Cast thy burden on the Lord,
And He will strengthen thee,
sustain and comfort thee—
Cast thy burden on the Lord.

Are thy tired feet unsteady?
Does thy lamp no light afford?
Is thy cross too great and heavy?
“Cast thy burden on the Lord.”

Are the ties of friendship severed?
Hushed the voices fondly heard?
Breaks thy heart with weight of anguish?
“Cast thy burden on the Lord.”

Does thy heart with faintness falter?
Does thy mind forget His word?
Does thy strength succumb to weakness?
“Cast thy burden on the Lord.”

He will hold thee up from falling;
He will guide thy steps aright;
He will strengthen each endeavor;
He will keep thee by His might.

Source: Hymnal.net

A few months ago, while reading James Montgomery Boice’s commentary on Romans, I learned of a hymn called “A Debtor to Mercy Alone” written by Augustus Toplady.  Toplady is also the author of  the more well-known “Rock of Ages.” In a chapter called “The Reign of Grace” Boice discusses the word indelible in the third verse. The word indelible means incapable of being destroyed, obliterated, or blotted out.  As the word indelible relates to grace, Boice says this: “Nothing can erase that which is indelible. So, if grace is written out in indelible characters, it is forever and ever. For the reign of grace there is no defeat and there can be no end.”

In other words, grace triumphs.  Grace conquers.  Grace is eternal.  Alleluia!

With a view towards tomorrow, the Lord’s Day, let us meditate on this indelible grace whereby, through Christ Jesus, we have been saved.

A Debtor to Mercy Alone
A debtor to mercy alone, of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on, my person and off’ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God with me can have nothing to do;
My Savior’s obedience and blood hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which His goodness began, the arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is Yea and Amen, and never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now, nor all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo, or sever my soul from His love.

My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains, in marks of indelible grace.
Yes, I to the end shall endure, as sure as the earnest is giv’n;
More happy, but not more secure, the glorified spirits in heav’n.

You can listen here.

“I saw him in the furnace; he doubted not, nor feared,
And in the flames beside him, the Son of God appeared;
Though seven times ’twas heated, with all the tempter’s might,
He cried, ‘The yoke is easy, the burden, it is light.’ “

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In case you do not recognize these lyrics, this is the third verse to “Bloodwashed Pilgrim”  written by John Matthias in 1836.  The other day, on my way home from work, I listened to this hymn and considered the saint, trapped in a blazing inferno, lifting his voice and crying, “The yoke is easy, the burden, it is light.”

The biblical reference for this verse is found in Daniel 3:19 when King Nebuccadnezar, in a wicked fit of rage, ordered that the furnace be heated seven times more than normal for the destruction of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Their crime?  They were faithful to God. They refused to bow down and worship a false image.

As the king, consumed with wrath, looked on to see their demise, something beautiful and unexpected happened. “Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” He answered and said, “But I see four men unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods.” (Daniel 3:24-25).

The fourth man in the fire with them was Jesus. Matthew Henry tells us, “Those who suffer for Christ, have his presence in their sufferings, even in the fiery furnace, and in the valley of the shadow of death.”

The fellowship of Christ in our sufferings is the secret to the believers security.  He is better to us than any good thing this world has to offer.  His presence is more valuable than anything we are asked to go without.

“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps 27:1).

With this in view, I’m a little closer to understanding how the author of the hymn could write, “The yoke is easy, the burden, it is light!”