Help For The Burdened

One day Napoleon and a lady friend were walking together down a winding path in the countryside. They encountered some workmen who were carefully carrying a large, heavy load of material. Arrogantly, the lady said, “Move from the path and make way for Napoleon!”

“No!” interrupted Napoleon. “Respect the burden. Always respect the man with the burden.”

God not only respects the man with the burden, but He willingly will relieve the burden and refresh the man or woman who has the burden. Listen to the experience of the Psalmist: “The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down.”

No matter the weight or size of our burden or burdens, the Lord extends an offer to us to grant us His relief. “Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your worries or cares or anxieties or problems or troubles or fears on Him because He cares for you!” (James 5:6-8)

I find it interesting that for me to accept the offer of God to “lift me up” I must first “let myself down.” Notice, if you will that He begins His offer with the conditional word, “humble.”

“I’d rather do it myself” is the way most of us try to “live life.” We want to do it in our own strength on our own time and in our own way. But that does not suit God. If we want His help, we must get out of His way and say, “I surrender. I can’t do anything without You, Lord.”

Beginning with our salvation, and ending with Him in heaven, we must live life “bowed down” before Him.

Prayer:  Lord, how foolish we are to try to live life on our terms rather than Yours. Help us to “give in and give up.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down. Psalm 146:8 

Which Way Is The Right Way?

Walter had been out for a night of drinking with a group of men whom he thought were his friends. When he left them, he got turned around and was going the wrong way on a one-way street. A police officer stopped him and asked, “Where do you think you are going?”

In slurred speech, he said, “I’m not sure officer. But I must be too late. Everybody’s coming back, and I’m just getting started.”

Disregarding traffic signs will usually get us in trouble here on earth. But disregarding God’s signs that point to everlasting life will certainly get us in trouble in the life to come. In the end, there are only two ways to live: righteously or unrighteously. And the choice is ours to make. Either we choose to live by God’s words and His ways or our ways that we design for ourselves.

Jesus told an interesting story. On one occasion He was talking about life’s choices. He said: “Listen, you have a choice. If you want to get into heaven, be aware of this - the gate is very narrow.” Then He continued, “On one hand, the highway to hell is wide enough so all who want to travel it together can do so. It’s wide, and it’s easy going, but the choice is yours. On the other hand, the Gateway to Life Eternal is rather small, and the road is quite narrow. Now, only a few will make it, but I’ll be with them to help them when things get tough. But the choice,” He concluded, “is yours.”

“The Lord loves the righteous,” said the Psalmist. And, it is His love that will protect us from danger and destruction on our journey.

Prayer: We truly need You, Lord, to lead us on the right path to make the right decisions to live a righteous life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 146:8c The Lord loves the righteous.

Which Way Is The Right Way?

Walter had been out for a night of drinking with a group of men whom he thought were his friends. When he left them, he got turned around and was going the wrong way on a one-way street. A police officer stopped him and asked, “Where do you think you are going?”

In slurred speech, he said, “I’m not sure officer. But I must be too late. Everybody’s coming back, and I’m just getting started.”

Disregarding traffic signs will usually get us in trouble here on earth. But disregarding God’s signs that point to everlasting life will certainly get us in trouble in the life to come. In the end, there are only two ways to live: righteously or unrighteously. And the choice is ours to make. Either we choose to live by God’s words and His ways or our ways that we design for ourselves.

Jesus told an interesting story. On one occasion He was talking about life’s choices. He said: “Listen, you have a choice. If you want to get into heaven, be aware of this - the gate is very narrow.” Then He continued, “On one hand, the highway to hell is wide enough so all who want to travel it together can do so. It’s wide, and it’s easy going, but the choice is yours. On the other hand, the Gateway to Life Eternal is rather small, and the road is quite narrow. Now, only a few will make it, but I’ll be with them to help them when things get tough. But the choice,” He concluded, “is yours.”

“The Lord loves the righteous,” said the Psalmist. And, it is His love that will protect us from danger and destruction on our journey.

Prayer: We truly need You, Lord, to lead us on the right path to make the right decisions to live a righteous life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 146:8c The Lord loves the righteous.