Passing along a country road some time ago, I saw a fine young bullock tightly tethered to a few feet of ground, and I could but observe bow he struggled against the restraint that was put upon him. He plunged and kicked about; but all to no purpose, except to weary himself, as he could neither break the rope by which he was tied, nor extend the limits to which he was confined. His restlessness and unavailing efforts reminded me of what Ephraim, in his repentance, says of himself to the Lord, in Jer. 31, that he was “as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke.”
None of us naturally like restraint, but we prefer to take our own way, and to do our own will. Is it not so, dear young reader? But God tells us,
“It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.” Lam. 3:27. To those of His children who are young in years He says,
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Col. 3:20.
He likewise bids us all to submit ourselves “one to another, in the fear of God.” Eph. 5:21.
What a beautiful example of subjection we see in the blessed Lord, who was devoted to do the will of His Father! He said,
“Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God.” Heb. 10:9.
“I delight to do Thy will, O My God: yea. Thy law is within My heart.” Psa. 40:8.
“My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” John 4:34.
“I have glorified Thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” John 17:4.
How subject, too, He was, as a child to His earthly parents, is shown in Luke 2:41-52.
Such a life of constant and perfect obedience and dependence upon His Father makes the Lord’s words in the following passage more precious and authoritative:
“Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
“Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
“For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30.
May all of us, then, who love the Lord Jesus Christ, seek grace that we may bow to His holy and blessed will, and learn of Him, who is meek and lowly in heart. Thus we shall bring glory to God, by manifesting something of the spirit of Christ; we shall be happy ourselves, and, it may be, instrumental in leading others into the pleasant paths of obedience for Christ’s sake.