Mercy and Truth

I was recently meditating on Proverbs 3:3-4, which says, “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man.” I kept thinking about mercy and truth being bound around my neck and how I can apply this scripture in a practical manner. Then the words of Jesus came to me so clearly, “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” (Matthew 11:28-29). 

A yoke is a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together (Webster’s Dictionary). In this type of yoke, one animal is not bearing the full load of what they are pulling. When I take the yoke of Jesus, I am binding mercy and truth around my neck. I am joined to Him and He is the One that is working His mercy and truth in my life. Jesus is bearing the load. Binding mercy and truth around my neck is not something that I accomplish. It is the work of Christ, as I come to Him and take His yoke upon me and learn His ways. This revelation of truth is so freeing. I can rest in the grace of God, through Christ and His Holy Spirit, to accomplish His Word in my life.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, in your great love for us You sent Jesus to pour out Your mercy and truth on the cross. Your redemptive power flows in every area of my life by the Holy Spirit. The integrity of the Lord in me causes me to walk in divine favor.