“That’s heavy, man!” I can just see a bedraggled hippie guy in embroidered bell-bottom Levis gazing at me with weed-blurred eyes, offering sympathy for my troubles. As a child of the 60’s and 70’s, that phrase comes to mind whenever I think of something that is serious, sad, or overwhelming. And back in the day, the culture offered its condolences with this phrase. Now, I am needing more than this vague expression of solidarity in my misery. So where do I look?

This promise of keeping comes in a Psalm that talks of the evil designs arrayed against God’s own children. I look around at the world situation—seeing every sort of trouble and turmoil—from life-threatening illness in the lives of people I love, to horrors of militant evil persecuting and beheading my fellow Christians. I look at the issues in my own daily situation and realize my long and tyrannous “to-do list” is also a heavy burden.

Oh, my. I am far more weighted down with earthly cares than I knew. I must stop here. I need to slow down. I need to turn my face to Jesus. I need to consciously give Him the things that burden me, the “heavy” things. They threaten to shake me, make me topple into fear. They undermine my trust in my God Who is powerful and able and Who will keep me.

I am helpless to deal with my troubles. But He is utterly capable. He is THE Almighty God. His power and love are everlasting. So why should I keep struggling to solve my problems and settle my anxieties with my own thoughts and ways?! I can turn to Him. I can give Him my troubles and anxieties. He will carry my load. He will keep me.

There is another Scripture that is quite similar to the promise here in chapter 55.

Psalm 37:23, 24. “The steps of a man are established by the LORD and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.”

Here the promise is “skin-to-skin”… the LORD is holding my hand! So, casting my burden on Him is the thing to do. But how?
Prayer and the constant discipline of my thought life- reminding myself of what I know is true of my God and His world. He is the Almighty. He loves me. He has promised to keep me. What comfort!

Question: What are your burdens? Will you give them to Jesus and receive the promise of God’s care and protection? Or would you rather sort out your troubles in your own strength?