God’s Promise and Scripture

God’s Promise: Rest

Scripture: Come to me, all 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.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Devotional

“God, I don’t know if You are real. But if You are, please help me. Bring me back.” That prayer came from the depths of depression and bitterness. I was torn between what I wanted—what the Bible calls “slavery”—and what I needed—what the Bible calls “freedom.”

Matthew 11:28–30 says: “Come to Me, all 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. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light (ESV).”

Jesus spoke to those burdened by the crushing reality of their own sin in light of God’s Law—made oppressive by the legalistic and self-righteous religious leaders of the day. The standard was perfection, and no one could meet it. 

Against this backdrop, Jesus gives three commands: (1) Come to Me, (2) take My yoke, (3) learn from Me. And he offers three promises: (1) I will give you rest, (2) I am gentle and lowly, (3) My yoke is easy. 

The miracle is that, though we cannot live up to God’s standard, Jesus invites us to come to Him. We can approach God—this is grace itself.

I really want Jesus’ next words to be, “Now, take off that yoke!” Instead, He says, “Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me.” The promise is not lawlessness, but rest found in surrender to Jesus. He fulfilled every aspect of the Law in flawless obedience on our behalf. Through faith in Him, we are released from the punishment and shame of our sin. He bore the penalty of our sin and gives us His righteousness and peace with God. Then, Jesus offers His yoke of discipleship—a call to submit to His authority and learn from Him, which is the only way our souls find true rest and peace. 

“In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and His children will have refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, by which one may avoid the snares of death” (Proverbs 14:26–27). God, who crafted us down to the atom, knows the way to a fulfilling, free, and abundant life. The yoke of Christ’s commands is not to burden us, but to refresh us. Jesus is the good shepherd, gentle and lowly, leading us along paths that revive and restore (Psalm 23). All His commands are for our good, and in walking with Him, we find that His yoke is truly easy.

I desperately need both promises: rest and purpose. As a driven perfectionist, I spent years self-righteously and anxiously chasing God’s approval, only to end up exhausted, depressed, and physically ill. Instead of running to Jesus, I sought freedom in pleasure and self-indulgence – the “yoke-free life.” Like King Solomon, sampling everything the world offers (i.e., doing what I wanted). But that path led only to heartbreak, confusion, and isolation. Lawlessness does not bring rest. It brings chaos. True freedom isn’t found in casting off all restraint, but in surrendering to Christ and discovering the calm confidence that comes with living in His wisdom and purpose.

Solomon, after trying to satisfy his heart in every way, concluded: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13, NKJV). I am learning to live under the gentle yoke of Jesus—not because I’ve earned it, but because He is faithful. His way is not always what I think I want, but it is always good. The fear of the Lord—a reverent trust in His wisdom and love—is not a prison, but a refuge and a fountain of life. In that place, I have found the rest my soul was searching for.

If you’re weary, wandering, or wondering if God is real—He is. He invites you to come to Him, to rest. His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His arms are open, ready to lead you into a life aligned with His will and for His glory.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. How have I mistaken lawlessness for freedom?

2. Do I trust that Jesus’ way—His yoke—is profoundly good and life-giving?

3. What “yoke” am I currently carrying, and is it bringing me rest or exhaustion?