"Rest in Jesus" January 16 Readings: Genesis 33-34, Matthew 11:20–30, Psalm 10:1–4, Proverbs 2:20-22

  

Reading the Bible in 2025

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. 

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Genesis 33-34, Matthew 11:20–30, Psalm 10:1–4, Proverbs 2:20-22

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: Rest in Jesus

Let's face it; life today can be hard. Remember when you were a kid and you couldn't wait to grow up? But the reality of life as an adult in this world is not what we imagined it to be. There is work to do and bills to pay. It never seems like we can get on top of things, get everything done, or get all our ducks in a row. Raising children is not just expensive but a daunting challenge. The news is filled with wars and crime, with the bizarre and the perverted, with stories that make our heads shake and our knees tremble.

This is not an easy world to live in.

And in many minds, Jesus makes things harder. He demands that we deny ourselves and live for him. He calls on us to say no to our own sinful natures and submit to him. Submit - there is a world no one likes to hear, right? When we serve Christ, we have to go to church, give our money, and give our valuable time to church work.

Many people, if they are honest, will admit that they see the demands of Christ as an added hardship, a burden to their lives.

But Jesus is not a harsh taskmaster. His Lordship is a blessing, not a burden. Look at Matthew 11:28-30.

“Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Jesus calls us to come to him with our burdens, and our weariness. In Christ, we will not find stress or harassment, but peace of mind and a heart of rest. Oh yes, we must take up his yoke - that is a picture of giving control of our lives to Christ. We cannot have the blessings of Christ while living in disobedience or living for ourselves. Yes, we must take the yoke of Christ, but his yoke is not heavy. He is no tyrant; cruel and mean. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. 

When we come to Christ with our burdens, our stresses, and our hardships, when we submit to him and take his yoke upon us, we find a peace and rest that we have never known, that we can find nowhere else. 

Lord, I take your yoke upon me. Too often I walk in rebellion and self-centeredness, but today I give myself to you. I give you my stress, my hurt and my burdens, with the confidence that in doing so, I will find your rest. Thank you, Lord, for the peace and rest that only you can give. 

Consider God's Word:

Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there something in your life that needs to change?

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Do you view serving Christ as a burden to bear or a joy and a rest?

Does your life give evidence that you are trusting and resting in Christ?