"CAST THY BURDEN UPON THE LORD." PS. 55:22.
By Elder J. P. Henderson
BY ELDER J. P. HENDERSON. WHY do Christians who profess faith in God go all the while sorrowing? Why are they weighed down with care and vexed beyond measure with the turmoils of life, when relief can be obtained simply by asking, and by casting the burden upon the Lord? The promise is to all who properly avail themselves of it. Our privileges are greater than can be expressed in words, yet we fail to accept them. "Great peace have they which love Thy law." "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee." "Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you." Such texts are numerous, yet their virtue is not manifested in our daily life as it might be. The victory in the Christian warfare is complete only when we are able to perfectly consign all our affairs to Him who is able and willing to do for us. It is ours when we trust Him for daily bread, when, in sickness or in the adversities of life, we can feelingly say, "Thy will be done," knowing and believing that He will work all things for our good. "A life in Christ is a life of restfulness." There is no sorrow, no troubles, no care in it, but what he is willing to hear and able to give relief. "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ." Phil. 4:6, 7. The mind is not to dwell on trouble. When once the burden has been cast on the Lord, leave it there. Hannah was a woman of a sorrowful spirit. She wept sore and prayed until she found relief. Then she went her way, and her countenance was no more sad. 1 Sam. 1:18. Learning to control the mind is an important step in obtaining the victory. Think of other things, of Jesus and his love, of truth, purity, and what is good. Phil. 4:8. Committing texts of Scripture is good exercise when the mind is annoyed with care. A Christian lady once remarked that she had committed the entire fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah during her husband's sickness and death. Troubles often arise from personal imperfections. There may be sinfulness in the heart that should be overcome. Jealousy, pride, covetousness, create discontent, uneasiness, and enmity, all of which tend to weary life and drive out the peace of God from the heart. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith," etc.; "and they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Gal. 5:22, 24. "Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, your fears; before God. You cannot burden him; you cannot weary him." "Keep so near to him that in every unexpected trial your thoughts will turn to him as naturally as the flower turns to the sun." "The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."—Steps to Christ, p. 116. "I yielded myself to his tender embrace,
And, faith taking hold of the word,
My fetters fell off and I anchored my soul;
The haven of rest is my Lord." 608 E. Twelfth St., Des Moines, Iowa.