(Isa 9:6) . . . And the government will be upon His shoulder . . .
Do you ever feel that there is a lot riding on your shoulders? Our first mission trip overseas was to Amsterdam, Holland. When we came out of the train station we realized we had to walk a few miles to the mission house. We had two guitars, our backpacks, and our large suitcases to last us three months. I don’t know how we made it. We were so loaded that the handle on one of the strong Samsonite suitcases bent. For years that handle testified to the many times in our lives that there would be a lot riding on our shoulders.
There will be times when the burdens of life will be heavy. That’s when we need the promise of Jesus . . . (Mat 11:28-30) "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "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. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
So, what do you do when the weight of life is overwhelming? (Psa 55:22) Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. You don’t have to carry that burden alone. The Lord can handle it for you! Put it on His shoulders. They’re strong and He can bear your load. And don’t forget to enlist the help of God’s people who can encourage you and pray for you: (Gal 6:2) Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Be careful about letting people put things on you that you were not intended to bear: (Mat 23:4) "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders . . . You don’t have to say “yes” to everything. You are to please God, not men: (Gal 1:10) . . . Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Pray about things before you accept tasks and responsibilities. Remember, God will give us the grace for the things He allows (2 Cor 12:9).
Are you being tested with that weight on your shoulders? Give it to the Lord and let Him carry the load. He won’t give you more than you can handle (1 Cor 10:13). But He also might be strengthening and conditioning you in your pilgrim walk. If that is the case we come to acceptance by saying a prayer like this: “Lord, I pray not for lighter burdens but for a stronger back.” God must have an awesome plan for you in your near future and He’s getting you ready!
No, you’re not consigned to be an Atlas your whole life. At last there is a remedy: (Isa 53:4) Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows . . .
Louie
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