He Takes Your Burdens

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: Psalm 81; Jeremiah 47-48

"I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you…” Psalm 81:6, 7 NKJV

The weight this world requires one to carry is often quite the heavy load. Not only do we live in a fallen world that is steeped in stresses and seems to dish out difficulties, our own sin makes our loads more loathsome more often than not. But there’s good news for those who come to Christ. Jesus said,

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Now Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble (John 16:33). But He followed that admittedly discouraging statement with “But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” And that’s the key for you and for me – we may be burdened by the world but He has overcome it! So if we want to lighten our load we had better do what we’re told: take His yoke upon us and learn of Him.

And what we see in today’s reading is the psalmist giving us a practical pattern to follow when we feel burdened.

“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.” Psalm 81:1

The Psalmist here sings and praises the Lord for all He had done for Israel. He recounts how God heard Israel’s prayer and delivered them from Egypt (Ps. 81:5). He sings of God’s faithfulness and everlasting love (Ps. 81:9-10). And he remembers God’s promises of blessings (Ps. 81:10). And in this one sweet Psalm, we see a powerful pattern for how to handle the heavy load of this world – praise the Lord for all He’s done, not the least of which is offer us His yoke which is easy and His burden which is light.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Keep Reading: 2 Kings 23:29-30; 2 Chronicles 35:20-36:1