Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you.
Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”
(Matthew 1128-30 NLT)
It is only when we come to Jesus as little children that we can find redemption and relief. As adults, we often think that we can work things out successfully our own way. But in taking this approach, we miss the simple truth that God alone has the power to redeem us.
Children are very aware that they are dependent on others, and they entrust themselves to their parents on a daily basis. As we recognize our lack of power over our lives and the sins that entangle us, we are able to surrender ourselves to God’s loving care.
God has all the power we will ever need, including the power to redeem us and help us break free from sinful habits. And it is only when we let God’s will rein in our lives that we can reach the potential He has defined for us.
A cry for help from the heart of a childlike believer is sweet praise in the ears of God. Nothing exalts Him more than the collapse of self-reliance which issues in passionate prayer for help. “Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me” (Ps. 50:15). Prayer is the translation into a thousand different words of a single sentence: “Apart from me [Christ] you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
- John Piper