In life there are times that the “fiery oven” of circumstances and affliction is burning with hardship and adversity.  Human words are weak and superficial and God’s words are strength and hope.  It could only ever be God’s words that transform and renew, that comfort and give hope, that are a refuge and write a song in the night on a heart. (Job 35:10; Psalms 42:9; 77:6)

Words are powerful.  We’ve often talked about this.  Just as the Word declares, words are units of energy that go out and accomplish things.  God uses the certainty we derive from the laws of nature and gravity, which govern our lives daily, to describe the power of His Words.

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,
And do not return there,
But water the earth,
And make it bring forth and bud,
That it may give seed to the sower
And bread to the eater,
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11)

Who can ever forget the drama surrounding the birthright-blessing of Esau and Jacob – the deceit, the accusations, the disillusionment. (Genesis 25)

Why couldn’t their father, Isaac, correct his “mistake”? Excuse me, let’s redo this little ritual.  I now realize it was the wrong son in front of me.  But that’s not what happened.  The special blessing was pronounced, the words went out over Jacob and were of eternal value.  Jacob and Esau’s entire lives changed in a moment of words.  The words from Isaac’s mouth stood firm and determined the future.

Knowing this, equipped with this knowledge, should we not then “open our ears and listen”?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,
And let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me.
Hear, and your soul shall live.   (Isaiah 55:2-3)

Sit up and listen. Create a silence and think deeply. God speaks. He says:

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

Our life’s demands with the expected religiosity can be exhausting.  Being good is a constant struggle with frequent defeats.  Jesus extends his invitation to all who are weary from life loads.

He offers the deep things of God. (Job 11:7)

Jesus is the way to God, the way to peace and relief – in a yoke with a burden.  This is a core truth of Kingdom-life.

The yoke Jesus offers fits well and does not cause wounds.  It is “Handmade” for each individual, shaped by the perfect love of your Creator.

A painful yoke is the yoke of religion, the “thou-shalt-not”-legalism and personal efforts to do the right things.

In humility, we bend to take up God’s yoke, in submission to God and His way of doing things.  A Kingdom life is total surrender to the passion and goals of Kingdom matters – in other words, the bigger perspective of heaven.

In Palestine, ox yokes were made of wood.  The ox was measured. Then the yoke was carved according to the measurement. The ox was brought back to fit the yoke. The yoke was carefully adjusted so it would fit well and not irritate or injure the animal’s neck.

A bearable yoke is one that fits well – the Kingdom task specially made for you. Whatever God sends is designed to fit our needs and our capabilities precisely.

The rabbis often said their burden was their song. It was laid on them for the sake of God’s people.

Our burden is the attitude of worship and praise in whatever circumstances. A light burden does not drag us down but gives us the tambourine to dance to the songs of deliverance.

You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah  (Psalms 32:7)

Why songs of deliverance if we never needed an escape, a supernatural touch to protect us?  The songs of deliverance are walking on the “golden streets” of testimony.  It is Jesus’ light burden that enables us to dance through circumstances.  Jesus’ “burden” is full trust in His provision and faithfulness, not to be double-minded in faith. (James 1)

The Psalmist is very aware of the “yoke” in Psalms 32.

He continues with the words of God, the key to an easy yoke and a light burden. God’s guidance is written in our hearts with His eye on us – what a privilege! (Jeremiah 31:33)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.  (32:8)

Following the Lord’s guidance is the well-fitting yoke, the light burden. (Jeremiah 6:16)

And then:

Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you. (32:9)

The key to this verse is submission in humility. (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:5)

Jesus states plainly that these are His own characteristics – gentle (kind) and humble in heart.

For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  (John 13:15)

Remember the WWJD bracelets? This is it!  Gentle and lowly in heart – just like Jesus!