Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best
By Mark Waldrop

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 11:28-30 
"Come to me, all 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.”

Reflection:
In our fast-paced, often overwhelming lives, we frequently carry burdens that weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. Whether these burdens are related to work, family, health, or personal struggles, the load can sometimes feel unbearable. However, Jesus offers a profound promise in Matthew 11:28-30. He invites us to come to Him with all our labor and heavy burdens, promising us rest.

Jesus’ invitation is both comforting and powerful. He understands our struggles and knows our deepest needs. When He says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me," He is offering us a partnership. In ancient times, a yoke was used to pair two animals together to share the load. By taking on Jesus' yoke, we are not bearing our burdens alone; we are sharing them with Him. 

Jesus describes His yoke as easy and His burden as light. This does not mean that life will be free from challenges, but it means that with Jesus, we can navigate these challenges with a sense of peace and rest that only He can provide. He is gentle and humble in heart, understanding our limits and lovingly guiding us.

Application:
Surrender Your Burdens:** Take a moment today to identify the burdens you are carrying. Bring them to Jesus in prayer, asking Him to help you carry them and to give you rest.
- **Learn from Jesus:** Spend time in His Word, learning from His teachings and example. Allow His gentleness and humility to shape your responses to life's challenges.
Trust in His Provision:
Trust that Jesus' way is the best way. He knows what we need and how best to help us. Rely on His wisdom and strength.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us to come to You with our burdens. We are grateful for the rest and peace that You offer through Your Son, Jesus. Help us to take His yoke upon us, learning from His gentle and humble heart. Teach us to trust in Your provision and to rely on Your strength. May we find true rest for our souls in You. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day:
When we surrender our burdens to Jesus and walk alongside Him, we find rest and strength in His gentle and loving care. Our Father truly knows best.