Casting Cares Away

              Burt Hollett never missed the evening news on his black and white television. He would listen and watch the ticker tape at the bottom with a magnifying glass, that gave the price of corn, wheat and soybeans. I don't know that he listened that much to what was being said, but he wanted to know if he was going to sell a load of corn or not. Watching the evening news these days just seems to add to our frustration.  Our lives seemed to be filled with more and more problems every day.  Many people, including believers, find themselves with a long list of concerns.  The problems never seem to go away, but they become just one more on a growing list.  People talk about being at "wits end."  This usually means that they are totally frustrated and don't know what else to do.  God has an answer for such a condition.   First Peter 5:6-7 says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  

           Our cares, no matter how large or how small, how great or seemingly insignificant can be cast upon the Lord in times of prayer.  The verb that is used for the word "cast" is a verb that indicates a one time act.  You don't have to keep on casting them at the feet of the Lord, but you just need to cast them there that one time and then you can forget about them.  God will take care of the situation.  You don't even have to keep reminding Him of the care for He has it already.  With some people, casting away a care upon the Lord is like trying to throw away a piece of rolled up scotch tape.  It sticks to your fingers and no matter how hard you shake your hand, it's still there.  You try to pick it off with your other hand and now it is stuck on that hand.  The verb that is used in this verse is not like that.  You just have to cast it that one time and it is gone.  The reason that it is gone is given at the end of the verse.  It is gone because He, God, cares for you.  You can have confidence that God will take care of the concern because He genuinely cares for each and every one of us.  We also notice that the preceding verse indicates that we should "humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt us in due time."    Then, our verse for today quickly follows.  It would indicate that there is a connection between the two acts.  A person who has humbled themselves before God are also totally dependent upon Him for everything.  This is why some, who seemingly cast their cares upon the Lord, are not satisfied.  If you think that this is just a magic formula to be satisfied in the midst of all of your concerns, then it will not meet your needs.  Your cares will still be there.  However, if you have truly humbled yourself before God, then, He will be faithful to His Word and take care of your concerns.  So, get the order right and humble yourself before God.  Then, give Him all of your concerns.  He will meet all of them according to His will. Praise God today for His watchful care for each and every believer.