WORD OF THE WEEK - YOKE - 12-28-25

DEFINITION: Yoke - a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull: a frame fitting over the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets.
Scriptures:Jeremiah 5:5 - “I will go to the great, and will speak to them, for they know the way of the Lord And the ordinance of their God. But they too, with one accord, have broken the yoke and burst the bonds.”Matthew 11:29-30 - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”2 Corinthians 6:14-16 - “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? …

Website:  www.wow-newton.com

Website: www.wow-newton.com
Email:  osnewton@wow-newton.com

Transcript

DEFINITION: Yoke - a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that they are to pull: a frame fitting over the neck and shoulders of a person, used for carrying pails or baskets.

Scriptures:Jeremiah 5:5 - “I will go to the great, and will speak to them, for they know the way of the Lord And the ordinance of their God. But they too, with one accord, have broken the yoke and burst the bonds.”Matthew 11:29-30 - Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”2 Corinthians 6:14-16 - “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? …

As we approach the close of another year, we also stand at the threshold of a new journey. The year 2025 ushered in a political agenda that has left many Americans reeling—facing rapid changes, policies that have placed heavier burdens on those with the least, and the dismantling of measures once designed to address civil rights.
Regardless of political affiliation, the social, economic, and environmental decisions made this year have reshaped how the United States is perceived on the world stage.
More importantly, these changes compel each of us to reflect on who we are, and how we will respond—individually and collectively.  We must decide how we will continue to live with one another in this country we love and share.
By the laws of this nation, citizenship binds us together. Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are yoked to one another, bearing the weight of this nation’s triumphs and failures. Historically, we celebrate individualism while declaring ourselves to have liberty and justice for all as “one nation under God. 
But we must ask ourselves: Is the tide changing?
Recently, we have witnessed the use of political authority for stricter enforcement of laws related to crime and immigration, and the deregulation of industries that affect our air, water, land, and communication systems. These shifts appear to challenge the most vulnerable among us, keeping them from the very opportunities that could elevate their lives.
When the founders penned the Constitution, the spirit of that document was shaped by a desire to honor their Creator and protect His creation.  This was a country deeply influenced by biblical principles. Faith in God and in this nation carried generations through our internal and external battles. Citizens—boys and girls, men and women, of every color, creed, and religious background—became yoked together fighting for causes greater than themselves. They fought for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all as they believed in the United States as the beacon of freedom and opportunity.

They believed the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:29–30: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me… For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” They trusted that they did not bear the nation’s burdens alone.
Again, we must ask: Is the tide changing?
With the election of our current President, Project 2025 became the guiding document for significant governmental change. Many observers are concerned that its proposals that expand presidential authority, reduce oversight, and reshape civil, reproductive, personal, and privacy protections that may result in favoritism and weakened safeguards created to ensure accountability and fairness.
And so, as we enter 2026, the United States stands at a crossroads.
Two hundred fifty years after its founding, we must ask ourselves:• Are we still a nation that believes in the message of love taught in Scripture?• Should grace be reserved only for citizens, while outsiders and the stranger is ignored?• Should the ideals of the Constitution—shaped by biblical influence—continue to be refined• Or should those ideals be set aside for the efficiency of a government centered on the authority of a single leader?• Which document reflects the spirit of love, equality, and justice that God calls us to uphold?
In the end, we must choose:God’s Will - or - Man’s Way.
We cannot successfully serve both.