God My Shepherd - Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thursday is the day I remember that God is my Shepherd.

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, 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 shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my load is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

This is where Jesus gives his wonderful, compassionate invitation to come to him:

• Any who are broken and weary enough to admit they need him.
• That he will give me rest.
• That he will place a guiding yoke upon me so that I can focus on learning from him.
• I can trust him: he is gentle and humble.
• I will find deep rest—in my soul.
• His restraint is pleasant and fitting for me, and his demands are easy.

These benefits also imply that we already have yokes, burdens, are trusting something or someone who is not humble or gentle, that we are seeking rest and not finding it, and that we are being restrained and carrying burdens that are oppressive and heavy. Give them up, Jesus says—all at once. Don’t ponder it. In the prior verse (27), Jesus establishes his authority. Based on that authority, he then he turns and offers this wonderful, shepherd-like invitation. That’s the kind of Lord I have. What a comfort today. What a model for how to treat others, too.

--Charlie