Matthew 11:28-30 – “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, godliness became my focus.  Sadly, too often, even the most well-intentioned fall into the trap of religious legalistic living.  How many times have I heard someone say, “I’m trying to live for God!”  

That’s the problem, we are trying to live godly through the strength of the flesh.   It is impossible for us to live for God through human effort.  We have to live a life that flows from Him as He lives “in” us.   The godliness of our lives is reflected in His life, nature, and character shining through.  In Matthew 11:28-30, we have the infamous declaration of Jesus for us to take on His yoke.

Some have the mistaken view that coming to Jesus and giving Him our concerns means immediate ease and that all our problems magically go away.  Godliness is not ease but trust.   It is not the absence of problems but the faith and courage to endure.    It is to relax rather than fretting and trying to figure out how to fix it.  Flesh-driven lives have no true peace. Godliness overflows from peace.   

In the parable of the sower, we see a picture of life.  How many hear the Word, the Promise, or the prophetic and rejoice only to find that shortly their focus is on the problem and their joy is gone.    They toss and turn, worry, and fret, and are left empty. (Matthew 13:20-21).

In Matthew 14, we have Jesus walking on the water and Peter’s request. Peter got the Rhema to “come.”   We get our Rhema Word in our situations, and then we have a choice: faith or fear.   Faith gets out of the boat and stands on the Word. Then many find that they are like Peter, they refocus, and the cares of life overwhelm them.  If we are going to enjoy the provision of a life of godliness, we must not lose focus and refocus on the cares of life. He is God!

 We must decide to die to the flesh and allow the Holy Spirit to bring the life of Jesus to fullness in us.  The song “I Surrender All”  embodies our need.   When did God put us in charge?  Well, He did not?   Then, why are we trying to do what only He can do?

LORD, help us to stop trying and start living!