When the burdens of life weigh you down there is one who can lighten your load. Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” The closest of human friends may help in some ways, but their power to sustain us is limited. The Lord, however, has power beyond our conception.
“Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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.” (Isa. 40:28-31.)
Thus, when we are burdened to the breaking point, we must remember the Lord who cares for us and has the power to sustain us. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Pet. 5:6, 7).
When Jesus was about to leave His disciples (Jn. 13:33), He gave them this command: “Let not your heart be troubled” (Jn. 14:1). The Lord did not merely issue this command, but also gave reasons for their hearts not to be troubled. Believing in God and His Son Jesus Christ is a reason not to be troubled (Jn. 14:1). That they have prepared a place for us that we may dwell with them forever is another reason to not be troubled (Jn. 14:2, 23). The fact that Jesus will return one day to bless the righteous and issue judgment on the wicked is yet another reason to not be troubled (Jn. 14:3; 2 Thess. 1:6-10; 1 Pet. 1:5-7).
God has proven His care for us by sending His Son to die for us (Jn. 15:13; 1 Jn. 3:16). To over-burdened souls Jesus says, “Come unto me, all ye 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 ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Mt. 11:28-30).
Number 665 in our song book has these words from Frank E. Graeff:
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
O yes, He cares – I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares.