God Cares

THE WORRY WAGON

The story is told about a man walking along the road carrying a heavy bag on his back.  Along came a farmer in his wagon and stopped and offered the man a ride. He gratefully accepted and climbed on the wagon.  As they continued the journey, the farmer urged the man to put his bag down.   “Oh, no sir.” Said the man.  You have been kind enough to give me a ride; I cannot expect you to carry my burden as well.” 

Sadly this is a picture of many Christians.  They have been saved and delivered from their past sins and problems. They have a new freedom in Christ. They are on their way to Heaven. Yet they cling to the past and continue to carry their old burdens.

Jesus assures us that, “If the Son shall set you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8.32).  The Bible promises us God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can imagine or understand.

OFFLOADING YOUR BURDENS

If you are burdened by old problems and cares or even future concerns then I have good news from God for you.  It is found in the first epistle of Peter “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” (I Peter 5.7). You are invited to cast all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns on Him.  He cares about you with the deepest affection and watches over you very carefully and intensely.

We live on a planet inhabited by billions of people.  But God zeroes in on you.  The Psalmist says, “I am poor and needy yet the Lord thinks about me.” (Psalm 40.17). Yes, that includes poor, needy, unimportant and insignificant me (and you).

YOUR CARES.

When God says all your cares, He means all your cares. The major problems, and the minor problems.  The life-threatening medical problem and a convenient parking spot for your car.  God is into you.  You may not be very significant in your particular part of the planet but you are a priority with God.

The Greek word for care and anxiety is “merimna”  – which means to draw in different directions.  And when you are drawn in different directions no progress is possible.  God’s plan is that we should go forward. But anxiety, worry and care are a hindrance.  They take our eyes off our goal and focus them on the byways and side streets. As Confucius said, “he who stops for every dog that barks will never complete his journey.” 

CASTING ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM

Some people bear three burdens at one time – all they have at present, all they are going to have and all they have had in the past.  God says we need to cast all these on Him – for He has already borne our grief and carried our sorrow.

The word “cast” is used in Luke19.35 where the people took off their garments and cast them before Him as He rode on the donkey into Jerusalem.  They had to remove the garment – they couldn’t stay in the garment while they cast it before Him.  That is what you need to do with your burdens.  Take them off. Don’t hang on to them.  Get rid of them.  “Cast your burden on the Lord and He will sustain you.”  Ps 55.22.