We all have periods where it feels like we’re pushing a rock uphill. Difficulties surround us and we can become overwhelmed to the point of being tempted to give up. But we can stop trying to drag that burden around all by ourselves; God has promised that He will carry it for us! Pastor Jim offered the following words of encouragement in his message of April 21, 2021.
Note: “KJV” donates the King James Version of the Bible. “NIV” is the New International Version. Click on each reference to see the verse in its full context.
Greetings Friends:
PLEASE READ: 1 John 4:4
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
PLEASE READ: 1 John 5:4
“for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
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Many, many people experience and carry burdens, challenges, and experience a variety of “troubles” on this journey of life. The good news of being a child of God is that we do not have to carry these burdens alone. In fact, as we have noted in previous devotions, sermons, and Bible Studies that God is ready, willing, and able to carry our burdens and carry us!
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV): “Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This teaching is part of the entire message of the Bible. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 40:31 (KJV), “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.“
Someone who was very familiar with burdens, challenges, and troubles, was the writer of Lamentations. Yet the author of that short Old Testament book writes, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:25-26).
The psalmist encourages God’s people with these words, “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14).
John Wesley
The temptation certainly exists to carry our own burdens without God’s help. The temptation is certainly there to possibly look for avenues outside of God to assist us with carrying our burdens. The founder of Methodism, John Wesley, taught that “no one or nothing else can give us freedom and rest, only Jesus. It is a rest which is a free gift from a loving God.”
You and I may be carrying a “package” which may be filled with burdens, grief, fear, anxiety, restlessness, or hopelessness. FRIENDS the good news of the Gospel is that God is willing to carry us and our burdens. Our faith and the song we recalled on Easter Sunday says in part God will “raise us up so we can stand on mountains.” God will “raise us up so we can walk on stormy seas.” God picks us up and promises to carry us AND our burdens as we trust ourselves and our burdens into God’s capable hands. Jesus said in John 16:33b, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV). Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.“
When we are riding in God’s arms, we are strong, we will endure, and we will conquer! The Apostle Paul wrote “…, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Let us commit ourselves anew to God and live as the victorious people He has called us to be! May I borrow from the Apostle Paul and say, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
Shalom,
Pastor Jim
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