I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (NKJV)
As God’s very own children, we alone, of all people, have the privilege of knowing that God is ready to care of us. When we need help, when we need strength, when we need comfort… the King of the Universe, who made heaven and earth, is there to help us through this life.
Yet it remains almost comical that we choose to take on life under our own power and control. Imagine with me that you have 2 tons of stones to move from one location to another. Your good friend is waiting on one side for you to toss the stones into the back of his truck… one of the world’s most powerful… powered by two Rolls/Royce 601 Viper engines, pilot-injection high pressure fuel rail systems, developing 600 horsepower @ 5000 rpm, delivering 755 pound-feet of torque and capable of 4 ton payloads. All warmed up, ready and waiting.
On the other hand you have an old rickety wheel barrow. Hmm… give me a minute… I’m thinking. “I’ll take the wheel barrow because I will have total control!”
Everyday we make the decision to lean on our own abilities, our own understanding (Prov 3.5) and our strength… in effect we choose the broken down wheel barrow over the true power available to us.
By relying on “God’s power”, I’m not talking about a “genie-in-the-bottle” approach to God, far from it. God is not a “power” to be manipulated through “secret keys”, spiritual formulas or “laws”; He is not bound to respond if only we say the right words or have the right positive thoughts. It is a very small God is who controlled and manipulated by His creation. That is not the God of the Bible.
The authentic care of our burden-bearing God comes from the blessedness of complete surrender of our lives to Him; allowing the Holy Spirit to be our Guide and Counselor; it is making Jesus Christ truly the Lord and Master of our life.
Matthew 11:28-30 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. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (NKJV)
The Lord’s burden is light. Our burdens are heavy but the Lord has graciously allowed us to cast them on Him, if only we will choose to do so.
1 Peter 5:6-7Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (NKJV)
God cares for us. We may cast our entire burden on Him but it is to be accompanied with humility and submission. He is more than capable of handling them. Our duty is to hear His voice and obey (John 10.27); He will take care of all the burdens that come with our obedience (Matt 7.11).
Throw the stones in the back of the truck. And while your at it, toss the wheel barrow in there too.
Our God, let us truly learn to cast our burdens into Your loving arms. We praise You that Your burden is light. Instill in us the understanding of looking to You for help, and that we can depend on You to care for us in all things. Amen..
Contemplation: Do you feel burdened and heavy in spirit? Is the weight of your life pressing down on you?
Application: Ask God to give you true understanding of what it means to cast your cares on Him and the courage to enjoy the freedom of allowing the Lord to bear your burdens.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?