A yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and is attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull. The animals need to work together and be equally yoked when they are connected this way or they will inevitably pull and bump up against each other or the stronger or more dominant animal will take over and drag the weaker one along wherever it wants to go, which is not the idea of being yoked.
It’s not just animals that can be yoked, as there is in a sense a lot of things we can find ourselves attached, carrying or yoked to in the connections, pursuits or attachments we have. Some of these are healthy and productive and will help us get to where we are going and make us who God made us to be and some will simply pull, push and wear us down.
It actually takes wisdom and a knowledge of God’s word and His unique plan for our lives to determine what or to whom we are yoked.
Jesus however says to take His yoke upon us and to join our lives to Him. When you are yoked to something or someone you go where they go and you do what they do. When we are yoked to Jesus through a relationship with Him He sets the path and the direction we take. He gives us the assignments and plans to carry and walk in and we get to see what a healthy and beneficial connection or yoke looks and feels like with Him.
The bible says that, “In Him we live and move and have our being”. (Acts 17:29) That’s because when we ask Jesus into our lives He abides within us by His Spirit. His ability, His power, His wisdom, His understanding, His peace, His joy, His rest is all within us. His yoke and anything He asks of us will not damage, wear down or grind us into a rut. Instead He will work with us and for us.
Today if you are feeling dragged, pulled along, ground down, uneasy or going where you don’t want to go then check who or what force you have allowed yourself to be yoked to, because there is no joy or rest in being unequally and unscriptural yoked to anything or anyone and it is not Gods best for you.
Jesus said, “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.” (Matthew 11:29 NIV)
“Don’t continue to team up with unbelievers in mismatched alliances, for what partnership is there between righteousness and rebellion? Who could mingle light with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and Satan? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What friendship does God’s temple have with demons? For indeed, we are the temple of the living God, just as God has said: I will make my home in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16 TPT)
Prayer: Jesus thank you that you have everything covered and that you are in control. Please help me to keep my peace as I remain connected to you and carry only what you ask me to. In Jesus Name Amen.