““Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1 NKJV
In my reading (through), I'm stuck here this week on Isaiah 58. Since it's one of my favorite chapters, I'm okay with that; talk about pertinent for today! There's so much, but this morning the word "yoke" is jumping off the page.
““Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?” Isaiah 58:6 NKJV
“Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am. ’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,” Isaiah 58:9 NKJV
The word "yoke" has many meanings, however, I never really studied it before!
From Webster:
plural
yokes
- 1a : a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working togetherb : an arched device formerly laid on the neck of a defeated personc : a frame fitted to a person's shoulders to carry a load in two equal portionsd : a bar by which the end of the tongue of a wagon or carriage is suspended from the collars of the harnesse (1) : a crosspiece on the head of a boat's rudder (2) : an airplane control operating the elevators and aileronsf : a frame from which a bell is hungg : a clamp or similar piece that embraces two parts to hold or unite them in position
- 2plural usually yoke : two animals yoked or worked together
We, who are following Christ, are welcomed to take "His yoke" and He promises us rest.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV
Those who have not yet put on Christ, and are still tied to the world, their yoke is visible if we look; they are in bondage.
But what about the deceived; those who think they are okay? Those who are involved in church, who love The LORD but are still living like the world? Those who you can't tell if they are believers or not, because of the way they live or talk. Aren't we, like Isaiah supposed to shine a light on their darkness; their bondage?
But they have to want to be set free!
If they don't know they are still held captive; if they believe they are free and love where they are, there will be a battle.
For if you love your sin more than you love The LORD, then you will be offended, when your darkness is exposed!
However, if you love The LORD more than anything else, you will be grateful and repent!
Church, it's time to repent and turn from our wickedness! Jesus didn't die for us to stay captured! Do a heart check! Don't be satisfied! Yearn for more of Him and ask Him to expose the areas in your life you have not submitted or surrendered to Him! Then give them up! Let go!
““The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed;”
Luke 4:18 NKJV
He came to set us free! Throw off your yoke to the world, so He can use you for His work!
“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37 NKJV
Time is short!
It's time to stop playing, Church!
Even so - MARANATHA!
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