Weekend Words

 From Our Daily Bread Classic Gems...

Give Him Your Burden

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you. - Psalm 55:22

Read: Psalm 55: 16-23

A poor man in Ireland was plodding along towards home, carrying a huge bag of potatoes.  A horse and wagon finally drew up alongside him on the road, and the driver invited the man to climb aboard.  After getting on the wagon, he sat down, but continued to hold the heavy bag.

When the driver suggested that the man set the bag down in the wagon, he replied, "I don't want to trouble you too much, sir.  You are giving me a ride already, so I'll just carry the potatoes."

"How foolish of him!" we say.  Yet, sometimes we do the same thing when we attempt to bear the burdens of our lives in our own strength.  No wonder we become weary and overwhelmed with anxiety and fear.

In Psalm 55, David spoke of the anxiety he felt because his enemies were attacking him (vv. 1-15).  But then he gave his concerns to the Lord, and was filled with renewed hope and confidence (vv. 16-23).  That's why he could write: "Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you" (v. 22).

When you recall the story of the man and his bag of potatoes, remember the simple lesson it illustrates: rather than trying to bear your burdens yourself, set them down in God's hands.

- Henry Bosch

Reflect and Pray

Give Him each perplexing problem,

All your needs to Him make known;

Bring to Him your daily burdens - 

Never carry them alone! - Adams

From Letters from Ruth's Attic...

"Our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.  And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit." - 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 NKJV

Parents are Not Miracle Workers

As parents, we may be tempted to try to do God's work and to neglect the very responsibilities that He has given to us.  He asks us to take care of the possible and to trust Him for the impossible.

How often have we tried to convict our loved ones of their sin and their need of the Savior, to make them want God, to make them read their Bibles and to pray and to live for Him.

But our responsibility is to minister lovingly to the immediate needs of our families, whether it is by providing a happy home, by preparing a good meal and washing clothes or by offering words of encouragement, love and appreciation.

And our responsibility is to pray.

God will do His part.  Salvation and love for God, the willingness to come under His authority, and the longing to do His will joyfully are miracles of grace.  And miracles are in God's department, not ours.

Prayer for the Day: Father, I confess that I have tried in my own strength to bring my loved ones into a relationship with Christ.  I relinquish them to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I ask You to guide me as I live out the Gospel among them.