Daily Devotional

I wonder how many miracles it takes to change our need for the familiar? Notice that it doesn’t say “if” they see war but “when?” It is so typical to want to revert to what is familiar when troubles come upon us, even when the familiar is obviously harmful. The Israelites had spent a little time experiencing God’s miracles that led them out of Egypt and God knew that they would want the familiar when they were tested by war. So he sent them down a path that would require faith and trust in Him. But that path of faith was scary and unknown.  So why would God send them that way? As we read what happened next we see it was the miracle of God parting the Red Sea. Left to them the Israelites would’ve turned back. By leading them to the Red Sea God saved them.

Recently I was reminded of the passage in Matthew 11, “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.”Left on our own we will most likely choose the comfort of what is familiar when we are confronted by opposition, obstacles or struggles, even when they are harmful. But when we cast them on the Lord, though the struggles don’t necessarily go away, He promises they will be lighter. Because they are shared with the one who wants to save us.

Are you carrying some heavy burdens? Are you tempted to run off God’s path because it looks too hard? I challenge you to spend time each day this week listening to God’s Word. Maybe start in Matthew and cast your cares on Him. Take His yoke upon you and learn from Him. And please let me know if you find a little (or maybe even a miraculous) rest for your soul.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.