Saturday, December 2, 2017

Going Light

With a boulder on my shoulder 
Feeling kinda older. —Springsteen

"Thus says the Lord: ‘Take heed to yourselves, and bear no burden on the Sabbath day…’” (Jeremiah 17:21).

The size and weight of the "burden" is not specified, but as we get along in years, most old folks will tell you, every vexation is hard to bear. We don’t have the wherewithal we used to have.

What burden rests on you today? An unfinished task, a difficult relationship, a lingering illness, a struggling child or grandchild, a tenacious sin, a memory that will not go away. Jeremiah’s instruction is to the point: Don’ t carry that burden on the "Sabbath day."

Israel’s Sabbath was one day in the week; our Sabbath is 24/7: Every day, all day we rest in what Jesus has done and is doing for us (Hebrews 4:10). Our Sabbath is like–forever!

“The Lord...daily (literally: day|day or day after day) carries our burdens, the psalmist assures us (68:19). Come to Him, each day, all day each burden bearing. All your anxiety—leave it there!


All your anxiety, all your care,

Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.



David Roper

12.4.17

Going and Not Knowing

"By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing...