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GOD CARETH

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Apr 16, 1896

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 22, No. 16.

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GOD CARETH.

By Helen A. Steinhauer

BY HELEN A. STEINHAUER.
“Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7.
Not part, but all—and casting, leave it. It is our duty as well as our privilege to do this; but how many (how few) of us put it into practice? We go with bowed heads and shoulders stooped, tokens of the heavy-laden hearts within, instead of praising Him in brightness, with uplifted head and kindling eye.
Not longer ago than last Sabbath I was so burdened with anxiety for a friend that it actually threatened seriously to affect my health; and, altho for myself I take but little care, it seemed quite allowable, nay, even commendable, to be filled with apprehension over the pitfalls lurking in the pathway of another.
Suddenly there came to my mind something that I had read thirty-six years ago, in a sermon on the subject “He Careth for You.” The writer instanced a gentleman who, riding alone in a vehicle, overtook a man who was not merely on foot, but carrying a heavy pack. Being kindly disposed, he bade him “jump in and ride.”
Very willingly the man complied, and expressed his gratitude in profuse thanks.
After they had gone a short distance, the gentleman noticed that his passenger still carried his load, slung across the stick, on his shoulder.
“Put your burden down, man! Why don’t you? There is plenty of room for it here at my feet.”
“O, yes,” replied the man, “I know that there is room enough; but I will not be so bold! It is enough that you carry me—I could not think of allowing you to carry the pack as well. I will continue to support that on my shoulder.”
Instantly my burden dropped—or rather I “rolled” it on the Lord, who has carried both it and me ever since.
What foolish Christians we are, professedly to give ourselves with all that we have to God, and yet insist on going more or less burdened all our days! Let us have no more conscious (or unconscious) reserves—which we perhaps pride ourselves in carrying on our own tired shoulders. It is the Christian’s privilege to be a free man in every sense of the word.
Therefore, whether our burdens are the unsaved souls of our children, friends, or neighbors, or whatever they may be, let us avail ourselves of the room at the feet of our Lord, and, laying and leaving every burden there, let us rest in him, while he carries (“cares for”) both us and them.
Battle Creek, Mich.