Daily Devotional – July 24-30
July 24 – Meditating on God’s Word
This devotional series offers less content but more opportunity for you to reflect, contemplate, and pray through the short Scriptures we offer. It is an opportunity to help us slow down and enjoy time in the presence of God. It is an exercise in listening with the intent of hearing from God through His Word and by His Spirit. Here is the passage for the week:
Matthew 11:28-30, “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.”
Prayer: “Jesus, thank You for your invitation for the weary and burdened to come to You because You delight in giving rest. We can take the new covenant upon us and learn from You because You show us the Father in heaven. You are gentle and humble in heart just like the Father is. When we come to You and put our trust in You, it’s then that this life-giving peace enters our souls. Your way is easy and light in comparison to the overbearing task of earning our salvation through works righteousness. I come to you today. Praise be to You. Amen.”
July 25 – Meditating on God’s Word
Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…
Write out the Scripture. (As it is or in your own words.)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…”
Observe what it is saying. (Answer the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions)
Jesus taught this on the heels of stating that He alone knows the Father. His purpose in coming was to reveal the heart and mind of the Father to all who would receive Him. That’s why Jesus begins this Scripture with “Come to me.” The Pharisees were always telling the people to “Do!” in an effort that they might be good enough for God. Jesus taught that the new way is to come to Him in their weariness of trying to please God under the heavy yoke of pharisaical legalism. Jesus taught the new way of salvation is found in Him. To come to Him was to put absolute trust in Him and in the Father to enter into life and life eternal.
Relate it to your life. (Connect how this Scripture speaks into your life today.)
Jesus invites me to come to Him! With all of my failed attempts at trying to please the Father through many efforts, I please Him as I bring my weary soul and trust Him as the way, the truth, and the life. I can let go of my many flawed attempts and put my faith in His one great work of righteousness through the cross that was vindicated through the resurrection.
Do something. (Pray it. Live it. Act on it.)
“Jesus, thank You for the remarkable invitation to come to You. You welcome me. You want me. You’re inviting me to trust You. Here I am. I’m bringing all of my failed attempts at pleasing the Father. I’m bringing my brokenness. I’m bringing all of me so that I can receive all of You. Thank you for receiving me. Amen.”
July 26 – Meditating on God’s Word
Matthew 11:28, … and I will give you rest.
Write out the Scripture.
“… and I will give you rest.”
Observe what it is saying.
This is the promise of authentic faith. He gives spiritual relief from all attempts at working hard and being good enough for God. This is a gift to be received when we believe that Jesus is all we need to have a right relationship with God. The worry and fretting are taken away. The rest that Jesus brings offers peace, joy, and hope.
Relate it to your life.
I’m completely at rest when Jesus is in total control. This brings me the assurance of my salvation that I’m at peace with God. The Holy Spirit bears witness to my spirit that I’m a beloved child of God.
Do something.
“Lord, thank You for the spiritual relief You offer when I trust in You as Savior and Lord. Amen.”
July 27 – Meditating on God’s Word
Matthew 11:29, Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…
Write out the Scripture.
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,”
Observe what it is saying.
Jesus’ first invitation is to come to Him. The second action is to take His yoke. A yoke was a wooden crosspiece that was fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they were to pull. To take Jesus’ yoke is to be connected to Him. It visualizes joining Him in His work. We come to Him in faith to find rest and then we surrender to Him so that we can be under His leadership. As we walk side by side with Him, we pay attention to His way so we can know His heart and keep stride with Him along life’s path.
Relate it to your life.
The visual of being yoked is helpful to see that I am connected with Christ every step of the way.
Do something.
“Jesus, I come to You find rest, and I surrender myself to be yoked with You so I can learn about Your nature and work. Help me to pay attention and willingly walk with You. Amen.”
July 28 – Meditating on God’s Word
Matthew 11:29, … for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Write out the Scripture.
“…for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Observe what it is saying.
We can take Jesus’ yoke and learn from Him because He is gentle and humble. The God of the universe is this to us! We don’t have to fear being His disciples because of the demeanor he exhibits toward us. Because we can trust this about Him, He tells us again that the rest He offers is for our souls’ eternal benefit. We no longer have to fret and worry if we’re good enough.
Relate it to your life.
As I truly understand the nature of Jesus’ discipleship, I’m fully motivated to give my all to Him.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank You for Your gentle and humble nature that brings me to trust You and have the assurance that all is well with my soul. Amen.”
July 29 – Meditating on God’s Word
Matthew 11:30, For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Write out the Scripture.
“For my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
Observe what it is saying.
The word “easy” means “well-fitting.” Our discipleship is tailor-made for who we are. It’s not a one-size fits all kind of growth experience. Jesus knows His sheep and works with each of us accordingly. The burden of doing His will is not heavy as 1 John 5:3 says, “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”
Relate it to your life.
I have a tailor-made discipleship plan. It’s not a heavy burden but a delight to engage in knowing and growing my relationship with Jesus.
Do something.
“Jesus, thank you for knowing me so personally that Your discipleship plan is well-suited just for me. Through the presence of Your Spirit, empower me to live out this plan according to Your will and glory. Amen.”