If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed.
Corrie ten Boom
If you look within, you’ll be depressed.
If you look at God you’ll be at rest.
What a great reminder in the Corrie ten Boom quote.
There is much that we could be distressed about as we look at the world.
- Churches look a lot more like the world than they ever have before.
- Christians who affirm biblical morals are considered haters.
- Differing views on masks and vaccines are causing division in families and churches and among friends.
The list could go on and on.
There is also much that we could be depressed about as we reflect on our own shortcomings.
Why do I continue to fail in the same area over and over again?
How could I say such a thing?
Why can’t I be more like Jesus?
Yet, amid all the turmoil around and within, what a wonderful reminder to look to Christ and be at rest.
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you….
fixing our eyes on Jesus. (Proverbs 4:25. Hebrews 12:2a NIV)
Jesus said,
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 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.” Matthew 11:28–30 (NIV)
A yoke keeps a team of oxen pulling in the same direction. Putting on a yoke is an act of submission and trust. We wouldn’t yoke ourselves to just anyone, but if we are yoked to Jesus, we know that we are in good hands. Our yoke with Jesus is easy when we are going in the same direction as him. It only becomes difficult when we try to go in a direction that he is not going.
If we want rest for our souls, the way is clearly marked out in Scripture. Be yoked with Jesus, learn from him and He will give you rest.
Very well addressed. Thanks for sharing this.
God bless you richly.
Love. Maureen.
You’re welcome, Maureen. God bless you.
We make it so difficult when we try to go it alone. And we know He will give us the rest we need if we only trust and lean on Him. He tells us so and I know because I’ve tried to do it alone at times and I always fail. It’s not until I’m fully vested in Him and trust Him to make it through all situations especially the really hard times. Great devotional. We need to be reminded of this from time to time.
We sure do make it difficult for ourselves sometimes. As I read your comment today and reflect again on what I wrote in this post, I am again reminded to Be at Rest. Thanks for commenting, Sherry.