Which would you rather be, loaded up or weighed down? I would much rather be loaded up.
Saw this image this morning and I had to laugh. How did they do that?
We live near the border and every weekend we see trucks loaded high with items that are being taken to Mexico. Some of the loads are very precarious and appear to be dangerously stacked.
But back to today’s thought…this cart is loaded up!
When we are weighed down it’s a burden. Too much to carry can be exhausting! Juggling family, work, finances, studies, daily commutes, and health issues can be overwhelming. That is why we are told to “cast all our care” on Jesus because “he cares for you (us)”.
He not only takes what’s weighing us down but look what else He does for us.
“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!” Psalm 68:19 NKJV
Daily the Lord loads us with benefits (blessings). I want us to look at some of the blessings that we take for granted. You know I am a firm believer in having a grateful heart. I look for things to say thank you for.
“I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name.
2 I will praise you each day and always honor your name. 3 You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand.” Psalm 145:1-3 CEV
The little things, the small blessings each day, when added together load us up.
Good coffee – Quiet mornings – Birds singing – Beautiful sunrises – Cool breezes – Shade – Dishwasher – Air Conditioning – Reliable vehicle – Safe daily commute – Warm blanket – Flowers in bloom –
The last few mornings I have had such a grateful heart for my good coffee.
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the little things. The bigger benefits such as health, home, food, clothing, loved ones, work, seem to come to mind easily.
Moses told the children of Israel that the Lord would cause blessings to run them down and overtake them when they obeyed His word.
“If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. 2 All these blessings will come on you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God:
3 You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.” Deuteronomy 28:1-3 ERV
It goes on to say…blessed with children…blessed with livestock (prosperity)…blessed with food…blessed coming in and going out…blessed with victory over our enemies…blessed in our barns…blessed in lands…blessed in everything we put our hands to do…blessed with rain…blessed in all our work… (verses 4-14)
King David, the shepherd, said that when the Lord is our shepherd we have rest, peace, protection, direction, overflow, goodness, mercy and an eternal home.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23 ERV
Don’t be weighed down. Take time to look at all the ways you have been loaded up. Make your own list.
Thank the Lord for His many benefits.
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—” Psalm 103:1-2 ERV