November 11, 2019

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Ps. 55:22).
 
    We are not to lay our burden down and pick it up again, but to roll it on the Lord and leave it there.  It may be a heavy burden, but He is omnipotent.  Do not try to bear your burden alone; it is too heavy, it is too much for you.  Remember, "he shall sustain thee."  He accepts us in Christ as righteous, and He will never suffer us to be moved from our standing before Him.  "O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction," prayed His servant Jeremiah (Jer. 16:19).
 
    Some of the most beautiful characters of earth have been afflicted in their bodies and have borne agonies for years.  One such was Nathaniel Kendrick, the founder of Colgate University.  He was paralyzed in the prime of life and lay in bed for many years, unable to move.  Then it seemed that the majesty of his Christian faith shone forth with power.  Once his son said to him, "Father, I have never loved you as I do now.  Oh, if I could only bear your pain for you!"
 
    The reply was: "No, son, I have not one pain to spare.  He who allows me to suffer loves me even more than you do and knows just what is best for me.  I sometimes think this is the happiest period of my life.  His mercies to me are so great."
 
                                All thy griefs by Him are ordered,
                                        Needful is each one for thee;
                                Every tear by Him is counted,
                                        One too much there cannot be.
 
                                And if, whilst they fall so thickly,
                                        Thou canst own His way is right,
                                Then each bitter tear of anguish
                                        Precious is in Jesus' sight.
 
 
MEDITATION PRAYER:  "In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me" (Ps. 86:7).