Page 148 - Grace150 Devotional

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

Jesus issues a command, an invitation, and a guarantee. The question is whether
we will take Him up on it or not. As a Master Shepherd, He knows we are weak
and needy people, and He cares for us and gives us rest. In this verse Jesus speaks
of a yoke. A yoke is a strap or a fitting on the backs of animals attached to a load.
We carry the yokes of others’ expectations, approval, and acceptance of us high
above our Heavenly Father’s words over us. We feel the pressures of the world
and its empty promises. We are constantly bombarded with lies from Satan. Then
there are the burdens placed onto us from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ
who are struggling. For these reasons and many more, it is easy to grow weary,
labor hard, and feel the heaviness of life.
We need a kind and gentle Savior who embraces us and gives us rest. He removes
anxiety from us. He is not a heavy burdener, but the reliever of burdens. His
burden is light. His yoke is easy. With Christ there is grace upon grace for weak
people who need it. Soul rest is promised.

Lord, help us to approach You with confidence as a kind and gentle Shepherd
whose yoke is easy. Make us aware of yokes we carry that don’t belong. Help
us to take Your yoke and learn from You.
– Stephen & Courtney Lawrence

DAY 141 grace 150