Our Burden Bearer
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22 NLT
When a I received a legal brief from our City Attorney, the memo will include a highlighted section entitled, “The Bottom Line.” It is a summary or capsule of the issue at hand that is explained in detail.
The “Bottom Line” for today is, the Lord is our partner in life’s journey and is present not only to help, but to “take” our burdens as we trust in Him.
Our mental picture of our relationship with the Lord and the challenges of life can often run contrary to what we see in scripture. There is a stark difference between carrying our own burden and allowing the Lord to carry our burdens.
Yes, we have the responsibility to act, to do what we can and should do as we face the circumstances of life. Yet often the greatest impact of the “burdens” we carry in life is the worry and anxiety that can grip our life.
We feel that we have to just “bear our cross” and realize that the “Lord won’t give me more than I can handle.” These misunderstood concepts promote an idea that the Lord is a distant bystander, watching us struggle our way through life.
David’s admonition is to, “Give your burden to the Lord….” I think of the physical application that I experience as I attempt to carry something that is bulky as I try to walk with two crutches. Often someone will offer to help me carry my “load.” I am usually glad to take them up on the offer. It helps me save my strength and lessens my frustration and helps my mood! I believe the same is true of the issues of life that wear on our spiritually and emotional strength.
I find it of interest, but not inconsequential that we see a similar admonition found in Psalm 55 in the New Testament. The Apostle Peter writes, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT) I like the versions that use the word, “cast.” “Casting all you cares on the Lord…” To me it is a picture of not a reluctant giving up, because of realizing my weakness, but a willing and eager throwing off that which unnecessarily weighs us down.
In both Psalms and in Peter, we see the reason we are willingly relinquish our “burdens.” Psalms says, “…He will take care of you….” Peter says, “….He cares for you….” We need to remember that because the Lord cares “for” us, He stands ready to take care “of” us as we trust in Him.
When we give our burdens to the Lord, we can be confident that He will not “let us down.” He will work in our behalf, He will make a way and He will show us the way. Remember Jesus’ great invitation, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
Our “burden bearer” is standing at our side. Don’t refuse His invitation. Don’t needlessly struggle. Trust in His care.
Prayer for today….. Lord thank You that You stand ready for us to relinquish that which would burden us down in life to You. Help us to be quick to turn to You and allow You to help us as we journey with You through life.