” The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?” (Proverbs 18: 14)
The most difficult part of life is not the physical, but the spiritual.
Modern medicine can replace or repair broken body parts such as the heart, lung, or liver. Impaired sight or hearing may be improved through mechanical devices. Disease or infection can be controlled by antibiotics.
But what about loneliness, discouragement, heartaches, failures, frustration and too many activities— and just not enough hours in the day. Where do we find relief for the crushed spirit?
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)
Notice that Jesus said ” …take my YOKE upon you………..” (v.29) The yoke was a harness used to join two work animals. One was usually older, wiser and stronger, and the other was to benefit from his age, wisdom and strength.
Jesus wants to be a part of your life; He wants to harness with you. He wants to be there with you as you live life with all of its problems. He will give you rest when you take on his yoke. Do not overlook that we must “take” the yoke. it will never be forced.
He has not promised to remove you from difficult circumstances, but He has promised to go alongside with you in those circumstances.
The Bible says: ” For God has said, I will never fail you. I will never forsake you. That is why we can say with confidence, The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? “(Hebrews 13: 5, 6)
The Psalmist spoke to this principle when he said: ” The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” (Psalm 145: 14)
I dare say that more people today suffer from a broken spirit than from a broken body. We all need help, and the Lord is willing to come alongside and to be our yolk fellow. This is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength, which we all need.
Finally, let me encourage you to look away from the futility and darkness of this world and look to Jesus. He is waiting to be invited into your life and wants to be your strength and light. This is the first step. The second step is to ask the Lord to bring into your life a true yoke fellow. When that happens just say, thank you.
One final note, a person is never too old or too young to be a yoke fellow.