Thursday, September 23
“I will carry you”
Scripture: Isaiah 45-46, Proverbs 22, Matthew 5
Isaiah 46:1–4
1 Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low;
their idols are borne by beasts of burden.
The images that are carried about are burdensome,
a burden for the weary.
2 They stoop and bow down together;
unable to rescue the burden,
they themselves go off into captivity.
3 “Listen to me, you descendants of Jacob,
all the remnant of the people of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since your birth,
and have carried since you were born.
4 Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
Observation
The Lord compares Himself to the idols of Babylon. As the Babylonians fled, they packed up their idols, loading them on beasts of burden. They had to carry their gods which became a burden to them.
In contrast, the Lord carried Israel from birth to death. Even though they were a burden to Him, the Lord carried and sustained them.
Application
When religion becomes a burden you carry, you know that you’re off track! For so many people, the Christian faith has become a burden, a list of obligations and duties they carry out, rather than a relationship that brings joy and sustains them.
Jesus addressed this in these verses I referenced a few days ago:
Matthew 11:28–30 “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.” (NIV)
Matthew 11:28–30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)
God is not a burden I carry; He carries me! He sustains me! I have the privilege of living in relationship with Him, learning from Him the “unforced rhythms of grace.” It’s all about relationship with Him, not rules, regulations and performance for Him.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for carrying me! You have been so faithful and so good to me. Keep me close to You and far from religious burdens.