Cast Your Cares On The Lord
BRD REFLECTIONS:
1 Samuel 16:1-23 and Psalm 55 (NIV)
(Judy Leow, Mandarin Ministry, Treasurer)
READ:
In today’s devotion, I focused on Psalm 55:22 “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
OBSERVE:
In Psalm 55, David teaches us, “Cast your burden on the Lord”. We are all very familiar with this verse. The question is, how do we cast our burdens on the Lord?
Is it like this story I once read about an old man carrying a big burden? He was bent over, leaning on a cane, walking labouriously towards the bus station. His tired and weak posture made lookers-on think he might be crushed by the weight of his burden in the next second. Later, a passing truck driver invited him to get on the truck and gave him a free ride. He accepted the ride but stood in the truck still carrying the big burden.
APPLY:
I have had similar experiences in my working life. Because the company’s monetary transactions are huge, I often feel uneasy leaving them to my staff to handle, resulting in longer and more tiring work hours. As my retirement draws closer I became more worried about not having a successor. So, I prayed and asked God for guidance. One day as I was reading the Psalms, this verse came to me: “Cast your burden upon the Lord” (Psalm 55:22). Suddenly I felt that my worries were lifted.
I ask myself: am I like this old man? God has answered you and invited you to cast yourself and your burdens on Him, but you still refuse to let go of your own burdens!
DO:
From experience, I know that when I have a close relationship with Jesus (such as through daily Bible reading, prayer, practising spiritual disciplines, going to church to worship, listening to sermons, serving, etc.), no matter how heavy the burden, I feel that it is light. But when I lose my close relationship with Jesus, even the smallest burden seems to crush me in an instant.
PRAY:
Lord, please have mercy on me and allow me to go to Jesus every moment, and find true rest in HIM. Only in this way can I cast aside the pressures of life, work, service, and interpersonal relationships and continue to follow and serve God. I thank You for the truth and important lessons revealed in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!
