ODJ: laying burdens down

October 18, 2015 

READ: 1 Peter 5:1-11 

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you (v.7).

It’s documented that children shouldn’t carry more than 10 to 15 percent of their total weight in their backpack. Researchers in Spain assessed the backpacks and back health of 1,403 students aged 12 to 17. They concluded that over 60 percent were carrying backpacks weighing more than 10 percent of their body weight. One in four reported suffering back pain for more than 15 days during the previous year. Other conditions included stress fractures in the back and nerve damage in the neck and shoulders.

How big a burden are we carrying these days? The Bible has an answer to our heavy loads. In 1 Peter 5, the apostle encouraged his readers to humble themselves under their elders, other older believers and God (vv.5-6). One of the ways they expressed their humility to Him was by placing their burdens in His hands: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (v.7).

Peter wanted them to see that worry is a form of pride because it involves taking concerns upon ourselves instead of entrusting them to God. The basis for their “humble handover” was their confidence that Jesus’ shoulders are bigger and stronger and that He’s genuinely concerned for our welfare.

—Marvin Williams

365-day-plan: Acts 8:1-25