“This is the day the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24. Everyday is a day God has made. That is a statement which will always be true. The second part of this scripture is the part more difficult to see and to live out. Rejoice and be glad in the day when troubles surround you is not quite so easy. I’m learning that the things which would weigh me down are the things God wants me to surrender to Him. He wants to carry the weight of them–not me. Matthew 11:28 &29 say in part, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Not so many years ago I remember taking time during my devotions and picturing putting Christ’s yoke upon myself. However, I could never picture this being easy or light. Christ’s yoke always seemed to be everything but that. Now in my scripture reading of Matthew I read this again. This time I can do this so much easier. To rejoice and be glad in the day God has made has needed me to grow into a much stronger relationship of trust and faith knowing that our God is a God of mercy and grace.

“Burdens are lifted at Calvary” are words from an old hymn. It goes on to say that “Jesus is very near”. My learning each day to surrender and obey means that the burdens I carry are laid at the feet of Jesus each morning for Jesus is very near. This is true whether the burden is my own personal one or for someone else. The yoke I have from Christ Jesus is easy and light when I leave the burden of it with Christ. Surrendering and obeying each day keeps the burden light. This is truly a daily lesson I keep needing to have right in front of me.