Rest for your souls

Today’s scripture:

“Come to Me, all you 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.” (Mathew 11:28-29)

Now, I don't know about you but when I hear of a yoke I think of the yellow part of an egg, but actually the yoke is the heavy thing that is put around an Ox's neck when they are doing the work in the field. When training a young Ox to plow a field, they put it with the more experienced older Ox and they share the yoke.

Now, the younger Ox doesn't know what to do and doesn't have all the strength to do this on his own. He is just basically along for the ride but at the same time, he is learning as he shares the yoke (as it says it verse 29). It's the older Ox that is bearing the load and doing all the work while the younger Ox learns.

And that is what is meant by "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (as in verse 30) because we aren't doing the work But it's Our Precious Loving Lord who is. He just wants us to learn from him as He says in verse 29.

The Lord’s yoke is easy because He has a simple way to live life and His yoke is light because of the stress that is taken off of us when we do things His way. Surrendering our yoke and receiving His yoke is a very simple thing. It is by no means easy but it is simple. We surrender our yoke by doing and obeying His way of life, doing and obeying His commandments.

Lets look at the fourth of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” – Here the Lord says we should do all our work for six days, but to rest on the seventh day which is the Sabbath. Now because of the fall of man from the beginning of time, we as humans can easily get overwhelmed with the hardworking and toils of our own labor.

“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”” (Nehemiah 8:10). In other words, Enjoy this day of rest and remember what the Lord has done for you and give mercy to those who have nothing.

The first part of today's scripture says to "come to Me" and "take My yoke". See, He calls us to deny our own urge to do it in our own strength but to come to Him because His burden is light! We need to surrender our own strength DAILY, not just on the day of rest. This day of rest should be a day totally focused on Him and adoration, thanksgiving, praise and worship, and enjoying the Lord.

Reflection:

The mercy found in this fourth commandment is REST from a light burden. It is the Lord’s gift of mercy that He gives us this day to meditate on Him and His goodness and have fellowship with one another. We need this refreshment for our souls.

I Challenge you:

Today just take time to soak in the Lord’s presence. Reflect and meditate on His goodness and mercy. Play or sing some hymns and let Him refresh your spirit and let Him have His way with you today.

-Doug McGowan