Matthew 11:29 – Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your soul.
Two of the attributes that are highlighted by Jesus are meekness (Gr-praos) and lowliness (Gr-tapeinos). ‘Meekness’ refers to the gentleness and forbearance God has towards obstinate people who are unwilling to cooperate. It is also an expression of the persistence and faithfulness of God not to give up on anyone. The attribute of being ‘lowly’ refers to the compliance and pliability that Jesus had to the will of the Father. One may also understand lowliness as not being self-willed. God has called us to deny ourselves and to wholly give ourselves to the will of the Father. The only way we are going to learn these ways of God is if we are willing to be yoked together with Christ Jesus by the Spirit of God.
When we try to manage our own affairs and defend ourselves, we are in fact opposing ourselves. If we will look to God Whose nature was expressed by the nature of Jesus, then we will find rest to our souls. God will step in and defend us and provide for us. Those who will rely upon God and trust Him for His provision and protection will find that God will promote them to the highest levels of success – both spiritually and materially. If we are going to learn the ways of God, Who Himself is a servant, then we must follow Him with childlike confidence and trust.
If you are tired of your own results and the upheaval that has attempted to dominate your life, then Jesus is calling you to come into His rest. God’s example to us is very straightforward: He wants us to have the same attitude Jesus had – Who empty Himself and took on the form of a servant (Philippians 2:7). Today, look at how big God is, and understand how He stands ready to help and to save. All we need to do is trust Him and yield to Him, and He will do the rest.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
