"Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
One of the toughest challenges for believers is to remain worshipful as they go through their valley of the shadow of death experience. When the burdens of life overwhelm our souls, most of us tend to retreat into our hospice of self-pity that leads to discouragement and ultimately frustrates our worship. Then we start to feel disconnected from God and lose our passion for kingdom service.
We must not forget that burdens are necessary for blessings to be appreciated. We would never know that God is a deliverer and burden-bearer if we did not go through some stuff. I do not believe that God causes the righteous to suffer. However, I do believe God uses our burdens to perfect us unto righteousness. That is why it is wise to cast our burden on the Lord.
In today’s text, the Psalmist invites us to cast our burden on the Lord. He assures us that God will sustain us; and will not permit us to be moved. What does it mean to cast our burden on the Lord? It does not mean that God will take away the burden. That is the lesson Paul learned in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Instead, God sustains us so that our burdens do not destroy us.
Many Christians go through a crisis of faith when they experience profound suffering. They cannot understand why God does not take away their pain. I have learned that pain and suffering are necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. At this point in my life, I am not looking for God to take away my burden. I just need him to sustain me by his grace.
Our testimony of enduring pain and suffering can prevent someone from committing suicide, or give up on a career, or marriage, or help someone to recover from an addiction. When we cast our burden on the Lord, we are asking him to use that burden for his glory in any way he chooses. We may have to deal with that burden for the rest of our lives. Yet we can trust that God will give us the strength to finish our Christian journey despite our circumstances.
I think there is a special reward for those who willingly accept the ministry of suffering for the edification of others. In truth, if we really look at things from a spiritual perspective, a perceived burden can be a blessing in disguise. Some of the things or people that are causing us grief are also compelling us to pray more earnestly and expand our faith muscles.
Some people may think of their marriage as a burden. To others, their current employment is a burden. Perhaps it is a medical condition that is a burden to you. Maybe, your burden is a financial crisis that puts you on the brink of bankruptcy or homelessness. May I encourage you to change your perspective and cast your particular burden on the Lord! If you do, your marital struggles can become counseling material for other couples. Or that place of employment may become an evangelism opportunity. Just maybe, God can use you to encourage others that are suffering from the same medical condition that you do. And that financial crisis can teach money management skills that will make you prosperous in the future.
Years ago, a man was going back home to Santo Domingo. He arrived at the airport late and missed his flight. The man was frustrated because he did not know how he was going to get home to see his dying mother. The airline company told him all the flights are booked for the next two weeks. He did not have the money to buy another ticket with another airline. Therefore, he felt dejected and frustrated. He went home, sulking and burdened with the thought of not seeing his dying mom. Later on that day, however, it was reported that the airplane crashed, and everyone on board died, except a five-year-old child. It was then he realized that what he thought was a burden was really a blessing.
Maybe you have some blessings that are masquerading as burdens. Ask God to open your eyes so you can see with your heart as well as your eyes. As you cast those burdens to him, you will delight in the joy of your salvation.
Prayer- Blessed Lord, please help those that are overwhelmed with a burden. May you sustain them as they cast their burden on you.