Sabbath Psalms - Burdens and Cares

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and God will sustain you;

The Lord will never let the righteous be shaken. (NIV)

Everybody I know has a care, worry, anxiety, or burden that they carry each day. Being human, we experience a lot of stress trying to endure these critical times. Sometimes our cares are about family or friends who are ill, injured, or having issues. Other times, our burdens are for the world we live in, because of wars, famines, and natural disasters.

Today’s highlighted Bible verse reminds people of faith that God helps us to endure each day, each crisis, and each critical time. We are not left on our own or abandoned to the whims of capricious leaders or unexpected events. God’s purpose for the world cannot be thwarted; God’s justice in the world will prevail. As the old saying goes, “Kingdoms may rise and leaders may fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

Whatever you are currently experiencing or going through, please know that God is mindful of what’s happening and can still be relied upon in the midst of your troubles, worries, and problems. As the wise psalmist wrote long ago, “Cast your cares on God and the Lord will sustain you.”

Point to ponder: What burdens am I carrying right now? Am I willing to share them and fully hand them over to God?

Prayer: Lord God, You know everything about us – our weaknesses and worries, our concerns and circumstances, our anxieties and issues. Help us to place them, as well as ourselves, into Your loving hands. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

What We See - 2 Corinthians 5:7

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. (NRSV)

            Sometimes the things that we see deeply affect us. It may a tragic news report on the television, or a posted picture online of some disaster far away. It could be the hurt we see in a loved ones’ eyes or real disappointment in the face of someone we know. We may have witnessed a terrible accident or looked upon a lost individual wandering the streets. We may have tentatively read a doctor’s report or a sad letter about someone’s sudden death. Whatever the case, the things that we see often have a profound effect on our emotions, mental health, and spiritual well-being.

            During those moments, I wonder how many of us say a silent prayer, asking for God’s help and guidance? How many times do we see something upsetting or beyond our control and quickly turn to God for a deeper understanding or a better outcome? We inwardly retreat to our soul-shell and quietly wait on God to do something to make things easier, if not better, or to make our burden lighter, if not gone. We faithfully rely on God to work things out, to keep us walking by faith, and not be overshadowed by what we see. Faith becomes the pillar of prayer that we can lean on, as well as the fountain of fortitude where we can find the strength to carry on. It may not be easy at first, but it can be beneficial to realize God’s part in our healing, recovery, and restoration. We may have seen something which concerns us, but we also believe in Someone who is concerned for us.

            Whatever occurs this week and wherever you go, you are never out of God’s sight, nor are you ever outside of His grace. Know that you are constantly loved and will be given the guidance you need.

Point to ponder

What is troubling me right now? Am I ready to share this with God?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You came into the world to show us how to find God, so that we may place our faith and lives in His hands. You know our present concerns and worries; You know our difficulties and issues. Help us to rely on Your words so that we may be reassured about finding the strength, hope, and love we each need in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we simply pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to give feedback about this message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s drawings called “Lenten Prayer.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Prayer.