02/15/2023
As Christian believers we are told not to carry our own burdens, but to give them to God, and to Jesus, and yet, many of us are reluctant to release them. Does this sound familiar? When I make this statement are we convicted by it? Are we carrying around heavy loads, and feeling the strain of everyday life that grows into worry, fear, and doubt, when we should be comforted by God’s promise of aid, and Jesus’s assurance that His burden is light?
“Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”
Psalms 55:22 NLT
David wrote this verse during a time of great trouble in his life. He was sorely afraid that he was about to be killed by his enemies, and yet we learn a great deal from him in this psalm… it begins with a prayer as he cries out for God to help him, and it ends with him assuring us that God will help us and not let us fall if we will only hand our troubles to Him.
“Listen to my prayer, O God. Do not ignore my cry for help! Please listen and answer me, for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.”
Psalms 55:1-2 NLT
Most of our troubles are not of the life ending variety, but some will be life altering. We face trials and tribulations in our lives that not only impact our physical selves, but also our spiritual well-being. It doesn’t take long for our earthly troubles to affect our spiritual lives, and as this begins to happen we have a choice to make… will we can continue to face our troubles alone, or we can do as David did in this psalm, and as we read multiple other psalms, and hand our burdens to God in prayer?
“Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God.”
Psalms 86:1-2 NLT
“Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name.”
Psalms 79:9 NLT
“Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.”
Psalms 16:1 NLT
When we are in deep despair we often find it hard to know the words to pray, but there are two very helpful ways to turn our heavy loads over to the Lord. The first is to begin by praying scripture. Using scripture verses is a powerful way to combat our troubles. Jesus used verses to defend Himself against the temptations of Satan, and we can also use them to bring us into the presence of God when our loads are so heavy that they distract us from reason, or we don’t know what to say. Try beginning by praying a psalm out loud to our Heavenly Father. You can use any of those we just read, or this one…
“Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments. Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees. Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions.”
Psalms 119:132-136 NLT
Or, we will sometimes find ourselves so distraught and burdened by life’s problems that all words are lost to us, and we are overcome. In such times the Holy Spirit steps in to comfort us, and lead us in prayers that only God and our own spirits can understand.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:26-28 ESV
God awaits our prayers. He knows our hearts, and so He knows our troubles before we even come to Him with them, but coming to Him frees us of these burdens, and by acknowledging them to Him, and Jesus, we are releasing them. Asking for help, or for God to take our problems isn’t telling Him anything new, no, it is meant to be a comfort to us, and a means of letting our troubles go. It is not about soliciting God’s help because He wants to do that anyways, but it is about giving us rest for our souls.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
So, how will we deal with our troubles today? Will we continue to carry them around on our backs, and be weighed down by them? Will we become so distraught that we will allow them to overshadow our faith, and perhaps find that they are challenging our very belief? Or, will we go to our secret places and pray that God take them from us? Will we seek His relief in our own words, in scripture, or in spiritual groans and moans? If we hand our burdens to the Lord then He will do as He promised, and relieve us of our struggles… and give us His comfort and peace in return.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for lifting the weight of the world from my shoulders, and giving me rest in the assurance of your deliverance. “Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.” And thank you for hearing the groaning of my heart and soul as your Spirit helps me pray when my words fail me, and scripture slips from my remembrance. Help me Abba as I weep in your arms, and cry out for your help. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who was, and is, and is to come. Great are you in all things, and perfect are your answers to my prayers. Merciful are you who lifts my burdens from me with ease, and replaces them with your rest. Praised be your name for the comfort you give me in the escape you provide me when I am on the verge of collapse under the load of the world’s troubles, challenges, and temptations. Your grace is more than sufficient for me Father, and the burden of your Son Jesus is light. Wash away my sins and the stains of the world with His blood, and in His rest and peace transform me into a righteous and holy man do that I might approach you with a pure heart, unburdened by sin and suffering. Call me your child, and seat me for eternity at you table where your Word will be as manna to me, and your love like wine in my cup. Sustain me in Christ, and give me understanding by your Holy Spirit as I worship you, and praise you, forevermore.
“But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them, he who is enthroned from of old, Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.”
Psalm 55:16-19 ESV
Rich Forbes