Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.

We serve a God who sustains and gives rest to His burdened children. He helps his children endure times of difficulty. The word “burden” can mean lot in life… that which is given by God. That which is given to us by the Lord in his providence. However, we can create our own burdens by our own sinful choices and actions (2 Timothy 3:6).

The Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 speaks of ‘burden’ in the first sense – an affliction, difficulty, and overwhelming circumstance: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.”

This example is a good reminder of what happens when we hold onto our burden rather than cast it on the Lord by prayer… we become overwhelmed and we despair.

In 2 Corinthians 5:4, Paul reminds us that just living life in a broken and fallen world brings its own burden.  – “For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.”

When I forget this about the Lord, I carry the burden. I try to solve the problem. I become anxious, worried, and bothered by the burden. I attempt to box with God regarding why I have this burden in my life. Like the text says, I am moved and shaken. I totter, slip, and fall.

Jesus’ prescription for those who are burdened is simple: “Come to me,”  “learn from me,” and “take” from me!

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).

It appears that the Apostle Peter picked up this teaching of Jesus when he calls believers to “cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6).

If the truths of Psalm 55:22 were more real to me, how would I live differently?

Rather than becoming anxiously burdened down, I would more quickly cast my burden on the Lord. What a wonderful resource is prayer for unburdening my heart in the presence of the Lord. Lord, help me to more quickly avail myself of access to your presence and power through prayer.

Experiencing the soul rest that the Lord Jesus promises empowers me to bear others burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Show me Lord how to do this today!