Lay Down Your Burdens

Psalm 10:17-18  You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalm 28:6-7 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the LORD, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We hold onto heavy burdens that Jesus never meant for us to carry. And sometimes we carry those burdens with us, strapped securely to our backs, for a very long time.  

He wants us to release our burdens to Him. To know Him. To walk with Him. To trust Him.  

Yes, we live in a world where people will give us joy and happiness. Sometimes. But these same people will also give us anger, hurt, frustration, and sadness -- because they are only human, and full of human frailties. Only God the Father, Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit is perfect. Always.

Scripture tells us to give our burdens to Him. God's promise is not a promise of a trial and storm-free life, but a promise of knowing and experiencing a peace that passes all understanding which can only come through Him. Only knowing and following Jesus will give you true peace. True happiness. True joy. The closer you draw to Him, and the more you know Him, the more you will experience His Presence. Spend time with Him. Release your burdens to Him. Be embraced by the peace, happiness and joy that can only come from Him.

Dear Heavenly Father, it is our nature to hold onto our burdens. It is so easy to have those burdens securely strapped to our backs. LORD, I pray that You help us all untie those ropes, ease the burdens off our backs, and place them, once and for all, at the foot of the cross, never to be picked up again. Thank You for the peace You give. Thank You for Your promise of rest from our burdens. Help us, LORD, to know You, to walk with You, and to trust You always. Amen.