Cast All Your Cares Upon Jesus!

We live in a self-absorbed world. Paul wrote to Timothy in 2 Tim. 3:1, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.” He goes on in the succeeding verses to delineate the characteristics of these last days. Paul is describing a selfish people in this passage. Today, it is hard to find people who are more concerned about others rather than themselves. Jesus said to love our neighbor as ourselves. People who are totally focused on themselves do not have the capacity to love others. Consequently, the driving force in their lives is to gain for themselves.

When we are so self-focused, we can miss the greater plan that God has for all His creation. If we are always focused on I, me, and mine, it is difficult for us to understand the needs of those around us. Our role in God's plan is to affect our world for the cause of Christ. When I am focused on the here and now, the day to day issues in my life, it pushes my spiritual connection farther away. If my attention is given fully to the issues of my relationships and the responsibilities of daily care and provision, then there is little room for activity in the spirit realm. That is why the Lord invites us to cast all our concerns on Him and exercise our faith in His promises for us.

1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” In verse 7, “the word for 'care' in the Greek is 'mer'-im-nah' which means 'anxiety' and it comes from the word 'mer-id'-zo' which means 'to divide or separate into pieces (through the idea of distraction).'” “The word for 'careth' in the Greek is 'mel'-o' which means 'to care about.' It is a verb which means it is an action word. Jesus understands our needs and cares to the extent that our needs move Him to action.”

If we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, He will see to it that our needs are met. We must place our total faith in His promise to do that. Therefore, we are not distracted with the menial tasks of life and can prepare for the spiritual war with our adversary, Satan. Peter says, “Whom resist stedfast in the faith...” We must resist Satan while remaining steadfast in the faith that our provision and sustenance are in Christ's hands. Jesus invites us to give to Him all our cares, the things that bring anxiety and cause us to be distracted from His plan. Because, He cares for each one of us and will move into action as we TRUST Him!