"Christ, the Bearer of Our Burdens"

We completed our series in “Becoming a Believer” with the thought of allowing the Holy Spirit to bear our burdens. Perhaps you are one of those fortunate enough not to be under any burden in this difficult time. If so, then read the following and save it for future use. On the other hand, if you are facing trials and burdens today, these few words are written for you now. Margaret Bishback Powers has written one of the most beautiful and memorable works, “Footprints in the Sand.” It is so familiar, yet so true.

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. "LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me."
The LORD replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you".

David must have felt much the same way as the man in this story when he wrote Psalm 145. The key verse reads: “The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14, NIV). He found himself pursued like a common criminal for no reason other than the jealousy of King Saul. Living from cave to cave in the hills of the Judean desert, David found strength in the knowledge that God would lift him up and bear his burdens. That is the same promise we have today. David cites eleven reasons why God can be trusted to lift us up:

1. His greatness is unfathomable (145:3);
2. He does mighty acts across many generations (145:4);
3. He is full of glorious splendor and majesty (145:5);
4. He does wonderful and awesome works (145:5-6);
5. He is righteous (145:7);
6. He is gracious, compassionate, patient, and loving (145:8-9);
7. He rules over an everlasting kingdom (145:13);
8. He is the source of all our daily needs (145:15-16);
9. He is righteous and loving in all his dealings (145:17);
10. He remains near to those who call on him (145:18);
11. He hears our cries and saves us (145:19-20).

If you are bending under a burden and feel that you are about to fall, turn to God for help. He is ready to lift you up and bear your burden. As you meditate today, you might want to ask yourself whether you have a big God or a little God? A little girl listened attentively as her father read the family devotions. She seemed awed by her parents' talk of God's limitless power and mercy. "Daddy," she asked, placing her little hands on his knees, "how big is God." Her father thought for a moment and answered, "Honey, he is always just a little bigger than you need." His call is the same today, as it was thousands of years ago: “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:29-30; NIV). How about it, won’t you crawl into His lap and rest today?