Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

For Your Encouragement

In recent messages, we have talked about turmoil and upheavals in the world today. This morning, I want us to look at a short scripture in 1 Peter 5:7. You know it; you have read it, and you may have even memorized it. But how has it worked for you? When one thing piles upon another, you can get weighed down quickly. So, what help can we glean from the word of God to encourage us? 

God says, “Cast.” That means to throw off, get rid of, or discard something you don’t like or is hurting you. 

A burden is a load that you carry. It gets heavy when it piles up. God knows that the cares and troubles of this world can quickly become too heavy for you to endure, as it is for you now. He knows your strength cannot bear it any further than where you are. He is also aware your burden has wearied you. It has made you anxious – so anxious that you can’t focus or think right. Not only that. 

God knows that your burden has sapped all your strength. You have no energy and enthusiasm in your walk with Him. You are grumpy and not fun to be around. 

For these reasons, He has made Himself a burden-bearer for you in Christ Jesus (Matt. 11:28). He calls you to throw off your back, all—not some—but all your cares on Him. Now, why has He done that? 

It is because God cares for you. He wants to give you relief from that burden. Isn’t that wonderful? Isn’t that good news for you who gets burdened on any sun-scorched day? 

Now, take a careful look at Psalm 55:22. The Psalmist says, 

“Cast your burdens upon the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will not let the righteous be moved.” 

Now, that adds another dimension to the heavenly deal for you this morning. God promises to sustain you through the harshness of the day. He will hold you up and prime you to walk better and swifter. Then, He says, He will not let you fall, because He has made you righteous in Christ Jesus, His love Son. 

You have no righteousness of your own. But Christ has imputed His own to you as His disciple. One benefit of that righteousness is to ensure the cares and burdens of this world do not crush you. 

Do you have a burden this morning? Cast it on Jesus. He loves and cares for you. He will hold you up so you can run the race well (Heb. 12:1). And the encouragement is that Jesus is standing at the finish line of your life. He holds for you the crown of righteousness to receive in heaven (2 Tim 4:7-8).  

So, let go of your burden today, and let Jesus carry it for you. It is a promise to claim and rejoice in its liberty today.