I am ever guilty of some folly, some unaccountable folly. Either my faith condemns my fears, or my fears accuse my faith of folly. I may safely trust to God as my guardian and guide, in the darkness of the valley death, where I must walk alone. Why should I distrust him in the high-way of life, where thousands walk with me? Dare I commit the concerns of my soul to him, and hope for salvation in his name; yet distrust him with the cares of my present life, nor hope for its necessaries in his providence? Can I venture my soul into his hand, and think it safe through the intricate mazes of an eternal duration, yet doubt if I may depend on his promise and providence, through the few windings of a transitory life?

Or will God care for the soul—but cast off the body? Will he feed the raven, deck the lily—but starve his child? Will he give of the good things of this life, even to excess, to his enemies; and withhold necessary supplies from his people? A supply of the necessary things in this world—is enough for those who shall inherit all things hereafter. Can he guide the stars in their courses, and the orderly revolution of day and night, summer and winter, seed-time and harvest—and not over-rule the occurrences of my life? Can he, who has given up his Son to freely die for my soul—not supply me with all my physical necessities? Do I think God to be the God of the mountains of eternity—but not of the valleys of time? Do I think because his habitation is in the heights of glory—he does not govern the deep places of the earth—which are also in his hand? How great a beast in sacred matters am I, who can devolve my ‘great all’ on him, and yet distrust him with my trifling concerns—and what is nothing at all!

—– supplied from his bounty, preserved by his power, and governed by his providence—I have no cause of anxiety about my present situation, about my passing life—except, in the lawful use of lawful means—to commit all into his hand, who does all things well, and gives to all his people, their expected glorious end!–James Meikle, 1730-1799

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”–Galatians 6:2

A famous British poet once wrote on the subject of pain and burdens in the people he saw each day. Living in England during a time of economic struggle, many people begged, wore rags, or struggled to get by each day. Disease was rampant, and many people lost loved ones during this time. Living in poverty as well, this poet often walked the streets of London, searching for people he could help. He did not have money to give, but he often gave them a few minutes of his time. He cared for children while mothers searched for employment or went shopping. He used what little money he had to buy food for starving children, and he directed impoverished families to local shelters and soup kitchens. Often his experiences were reflected in his writings—He could see the pain in the eyes of people, even when they tried to disguise their feelings. He realized that by taking time to talk with people he could easily recognize the burdens they carried.

Whether people in seventeenth century Britain or people in twenty-first century America, everyone carries burdens. Often stated is the phrase “Life is unfair.” Many people face unfair situations and heavy burdens they never thought they’d face. Situations arise despite people’s best efforts to avoid them.

I’m sure even you have some burdens in your own life. Think of the burdens you carry. Financial pressure? Uncertainty about a job situation? A rebellious child? A struggling marriage? A troubled friend? A health trial? Carrying burdens is nothing new, yet God desires that rather than focusing on your own burdens, you would seek to bear the burdens of others.“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Very simply put, God wants you to help others. What does bearing another person’s burdens entail? While you may not be able to physically carry the burden of someone, you can lighten their load by loving them and showing you care.

Have a friend in financial problems? Help them by treating them to dinner or cooking them a meal. Someone experienced the loss of a loved one? Send flowers, a card, or show them your sympathy. Do you know someone who’s going through a health problem? Visit them or offer to help them with backlogged projects (cleaning, shopping, etc.).

Taking time to show someone you care about them will help lighten their burden. Often, simply stopping to talk with them and allowing them to air their problems help. If they ask for advice or counsel, seek to guide them through biblical solutions. Sometimes all bearing a burden means is sitting down over coffee and listening.

Who around you is struggling today? While you could focus on your own problems and burdens, God desires for you to help others bear their burdens. He desires that you would fulfill His command to love others by showing kindness during their time of need. Whose burden can you help bear today?–Daily in the Word

That same Jesus who once died for sinners, still lives at the right hand of God, to carry on the work of salvation which He came down from heaven to perform.

He lives to receive all who come unto God by Him, and to give them power to become the sons of God.

He lives to hear the confession of every heavy-laden conscience, and to grant, as an almighty High Priest, perfect absolution(forgiveness)

He lives to pour down the Spirit of adoption on all who believe in Him, and to enable them to cry, Abba, Father!

He lives to be the one Mediator between God and man, the unwearied Intercessor, the kind Shepherd, the elder Brother, the prevailing Advocate, the never-failing Priest and Friend of all who come to God by Him.

He lives to be wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption to all His people—to keep them in life, to support them in death, and to bring them finally to eternal glory.— J C Ryle

“But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm.”—Luke 8:23–24

 

 

Sometimes the Lord calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.

 

I once read this story about the last few hours of a five year old boy’s life: “A nurse with whom I worked, named Gracie, took care of this lad during the latter days of his life. He was dying of lung cancer, which is a terrifying disease in its final stages. This little boy had a Christian mother who loved him and stayed by his side through the long ordeal. She cradled him on her lap and talked softly about the Lord. Instinctively, the woman was preparing her son for the final hours to come. Gracie told me that she entered his room one day as death approached, and she heard this lad talking about hearing bells. ‘The bells are ringing, Mommie,’ he said. ‘I can hear them.’

 

“Gracie thought he was hallucinating because he was already slipping away, and said to his mother, ‘I’m sure you know your baby is hearing things that aren’t there. He is hallucinating because of the sickness.’

 

“The mother pulled her son closer to her chest, smiled and said, ‘No, ma’am. He is not hallucinating. I told him when he was frightened—when he couldn’t breathe—if he would listen carefully, he could hear the bells of Heaven ringing for him. That is what he’s been talking about all day.’”

 

In the midst of all that was going on, this little boy had fixed his eyes on Heaven and was ignoring the pain filling his body. Rather than crying out or giving into fear, he looked to God to welcome him home to Heaven.

 

What if you were in that little boy’s position? How would you react? I’m sure many of us would be fearful and uncertain, but the peace of God filled such a young boy to the point that he ignored the pain.

 

In any fearful time, it is easy to focus on the pain and uncertainty around us rather than focusing on Christ. Notice today’s verses. The disciples were so focused on the storm around them that they failed to realize the Creator of the storm was in their boat.

 

What trial or fearful time do you have in your life? Is it a life direction, a lost job, a tight budget, or the pain of a wayward loved one? Don’t allow yourself to focus so much on the problem that you forget that Christ is in your boat. He is on your side and is working everything for your good. Take time now to be with the Lord. Allow Him to calm the storm in your life by focusing your heart back on Him. ( Daily in the Word)

“I will do all my pleasure.” Isaiah 46:10

The purpose of God cannot be frustrated. His holy mind can never be disappointed. His will is law. His counsel must stand. He is in one mind, and none can turn him. He takes pleasure in them that fear Him, and in them that hope in His mercy. He chose them to salvation in Jesus, according to the good pleasure of His will. He works in us to will, and to do, of His good pleasure. He will fulfill in us all the good pleasure of His goodness, and the work of faith with power. He is pleased to save His people with an everlasting salvation. He is pleased with our obedience to His precepts. It is our Father’s good pleasure that gives us the kingdom. He accomplishes the purposes of His will by angels; they are His ministers which do His pleasure; by men, good and bad; by devils; by Jesus Christ; the pleasure of the Lord prospers in His hand. For His pleasure all things are and were created; and he worketh all things after the counsel of His own will. Let us seek to be like-minded with our God; let us acquiese in all that pleases Him, and let us take pleasure in glorifying him. If God does His pleasure our best interests are safe.

God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea.
And rides upon the storm.
His power and wisdom will fulfil,
The utmost counsel of His will.–James Smith