"Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 55:22
What a wonderful promise is contained in our verse for today! David knew what it was to carry burdens himself, and through his years he learned how to give the LORD his burdens.
For a moment let’s talk about different kinds of burdens. On the one hand we have burdens that are a natural result of living in a sin cursed world (Genesis 3:14-19; Romans 8:21-22). We have to deal with personal sin, sinful people who are not loving or kind, and the problems that both of these cause for us. On the other hand we have the burdens that God places on our shoulders to teach us how to grow and learn dependence upon Him. We have His calling in our lives as believers and our responsibilities to our families, churches, and our brothers and sisters in Christ. In our verse today David is talking of this second kind of burden. These are the burdens that our loving LORD lays on us. The question is “what do I do with these burdens?” David’s answer should encourage you!
“Cast thy burden upon the LORD…”
Think about this. The individual burden the LORD has given you to carry–that He has lovingly laid on your shoulders–He will sustain you as you carry it. This burden is tailor made just for you. It’s what God expects you to carry. It’s your “backpack” (Galatians 6:5), and it is suitable for your shoulders and for no one else’s. I learned many years ago in Boy Scouts that it only takes one person to carry a backpack. God expects us to carry our own pack, and to handle our own burdens. My backpack is made for me and it will not fit any other human being like it will fit me! I cannot ask you to carry my pack for me without it causing me greater problems. I need to carry my backpack. Although no other person can carry my pack for me, God invites me to throw my burden onto His shoulders! But the verse doesn’t end here…
“He shall sustain thee…”
If you will give your burden to the LORD you will discover that not only does He carry your burden but He nourishes you as well. The ancient word translated here as “sustain,” is the same word that Joseph used when he promised his extended family that he would provide for them in Egypt. “Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them,” (Genesis 50:21).
This word for sustain means “to measure.” God measures out the grace you need for each day. In other words, He will give you the strength, or the endurance He knows you need. He measures out exactly what will meet your need for each specific burden. He will sustain you and He will carry your burden. Not only does the LORD carry the burden, but He carries you too.
“He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”
This cannot mean that God’s child never has problems, major disappointments, or extremely difficult trials; but it does mean that the LORD will never forget His child, and ultimately all will be made right. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand,” (Psalm 37:23-24).
Will you cast your burdens on the LORD?