In his commentary on this week's verse, Robert J. Morgan includes this account in his book, "100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart":
When we hand our burden over to God, we allow Him to take that which could have gone terribly wrong in our hands, and turn it into something that will grow us and be used for our ultimate strengthening...causing us to be much less likely to be shaken by troubles in our future.
Everything that is placed in God's hands is in a place of goodness...burdens are turned into blessings. The only thing we give up is our will, we don't get to decide the outcome. But when we have the promise of God that He will support us, that He will strengthen us, that seems a very easy thing to relinquish, doesn't it?
As we go through this season of celebration of our Savior's birth, let's abandon the things that burden us and cause us stress and tension and, instead, embrace the simplicity of the birth of a child in a manger...a very simple entry into the world of the most revolutionary figure the world has ever seen. I am praying for simple ways to share His message during this special time of year when hearts are turned toward the star of Bethlehem.
John Fletcher is known in history as the godly vicar of Madeley; but in 1755 he grew deeply discouraged. On Thursday, January 23, he felt so despondent he almost gave up home. "Having continued my supplication till near one in the morning," he told his diary, "I then opened my Bible, and fell on these words. 'Cast thy burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.' Filled with joy, I fell again on my knees to beg of God that might always cast my burden upon Him...My hope was now greatly increased."Have you ever felt like John Fletcher? Have there been times in your life when it felt like there was not one thing going right and that no one understood you or your life's situation? Most of us have had a time or two like that, and most of us will probably have some future time when we will be discouraged and disappointed. But if those times do come to us again, let's pray that we will remember this verse tucked away in Psalm 55:22 that assures us that we don't have to stay in that state of blue...God has promised to us that when we place our burden on Him, He is there to support us...He understands both us and the situation we are finding ourselves as only He can, with totality and in full completeness. We show not only our trust in God, but also our spiritual wisdom when we cast our burden on the One who has the ability to see every detail of that burden, every ramification of the potential handlings of the burden, and has our best interest as His priority in the determination of the outcome that He will work for our good when we hand over our burden to Him.
When we hand our burden over to God, we allow Him to take that which could have gone terribly wrong in our hands, and turn it into something that will grow us and be used for our ultimate strengthening...causing us to be much less likely to be shaken by troubles in our future.
Everything that is placed in God's hands is in a place of goodness...burdens are turned into blessings. The only thing we give up is our will, we don't get to decide the outcome. But when we have the promise of God that He will support us, that He will strengthen us, that seems a very easy thing to relinquish, doesn't it?
As we go through this season of celebration of our Savior's birth, let's abandon the things that burden us and cause us stress and tension and, instead, embrace the simplicity of the birth of a child in a manger...a very simple entry into the world of the most revolutionary figure the world has ever seen. I am praying for simple ways to share His message during this special time of year when hearts are turned toward the star of Bethlehem.
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There have been times in my life when it felt like everything was unraveling and falling apart. But recently I when I have had those feelings of despair my God did not allow me to be shaken. --- I also held a large family dinner at my house on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, then on the following Tuesday I left work at lunch to drive to Houston to see my son and his family. Such a long drive. Then, playing with grandchildren; an early morning for the Houston parade (6am); and another early morning for a children's play that we attended on Friday; then, back again in the car for the long trip home. I was by myself because my husband had to work.
It was the remarkable power of my awesome God, He accompanied me and brought me home safely. I sang all the way down and all the way back to songs on the radio. God lifted me up and the trip was one of the most memorable and easiest trips that I have driven to Houston. I've gone a lot to see my son in Houston and when he was further south in Texas past Corpus to Kingsville. I was not shaken by those many hours in the car. Christ brought me through The trip as though it was only a couple of hours drive. I spent hours with Christ, praying and talking with Him. God brought me home safely and joyful. The power of the Holy Spirit was working within me. I sang praises to my Lord.
Just when I think I have turned my burdens over to God I realize I have another one and I haven't even asked God for His help. Each day brings new challenges and the continuation of old challenges. I am realizing that God is able to handle all of my burdens. I have felt despair - and in those long ago days I didn't look to Christ Jesus for guidance. I didn't know nor realize His power. Today, I am not shaken. I will treasure each and every small moment I spend with God. He is the Reason for the Season. I praise His Name.
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