“Life is difficult for everyone; everyone has bad days. Everyone has trouble in their life because it doesn’t matter how rich you are, sickness, trouble, worry, and love; these things will mess with you at every level of life.” …Domhnall Gleeson
Sometimes it seems life has a way of kicking us when we’re down. And just when we think we can’t get any lower, we get kicked again. Setbacks, failure, and tragedy are a part of life. No matter who you are, there’s no way around it. But even in our times of deepest despair, we can can find comfort and rest through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” What an amazing offer! Are any of you weary and burdened? Do you, like me, at times feel overloaded in your mind and in your spirit? Do your burdens manifest themselves in physical ways? Are you going to bed at night feeling exhausted from the battles you fight each day? If so what you need is not physical rest, but soul rest. You need release from stress, worry, guilt, fear, and bitterness. This is soul rest. And soul rest can only be found in Jesus who offers it freely to all.
In verses 29-30, Jesus goes on to say, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” What does He mean by a yoke, and why does He use that symbol?
A yoke is a wooden beam normally used between a pair of oxen, or other animals, to enable them to pull together on a load when working in pairs. What a beautiful image of the perfect partnership. Jesus, the Creator of the Universe is offering to be our partner. Our Lord loves us so much that even though He has no load of His own, He is offering to work shoulder to shoulder with us and help to carry ours. And there is no better place to be then yoked to the Lord. For when we are yoked to Jesus we are trusting in Him to set the direction and pace for our lives. Just as Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
All of us need rest and Jesus promises to give it to us when we find our rest in Him. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” God doesn’t always keep the burdens from our lives, but through Jesus He offers a refuge. Won’t you let Jesus be your partner? Won’t you yoke yourself to Him and rest in His perfect love?