Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

Where Do You Go When You Are Burdened?

By Debbie March 27, 2014 Devotion

Praying handsThis morning I was having my quiet time reading from the YouVersion Bible app.  One of the Scripture readings came from Luke 6.  Jesus had been teaching and healing people. He was also being closely observed by the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees.  They were looking to see if they could catch Jesus doing or saying anything contrary to their laws.

In Luke 6:6-11 Jesus was healing a man with a deformed right hand who was in the synagogue.  He chose to heal the man right in front of His enemies.  The following verse reads:

At this, the enemies of Jesus were wild with rage and began to discuss what to do with him.  Luke 6:11

I don’t know about you but if I had enemies who were watching my every move and listening to every word I said …I’d be scared.  I’d probably plan out everything I said.  I’d consider every word and action so I wouldn’t give them ammunition against me.  But Jesus was perfectly submitted to His Father’s plan.

Listen to what the following verse says:

One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and He prayed to God all night. Luke 6:12 NLT

Jesus prayed all night long.  When was the last time you prayed all night long?  I have to admit that I often pray in bed at night and fall asleep in the middle of my prayers.  But Jesus prayed all night.

Which brings me to an application.  Instead of:

  • Tossing and turning all night worrying
  • Calling my friends to talk about the injustice I felt was done to me
  • Talking badly about the people who dislike me
  • Sharing my opinions about the situation on social media sites
  • Numbing myself so I could try to shelter myself from feeling hurt

Jesus went up on the mountain and …prayed all night!

I think of the words to the well known song “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden,
cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge;
take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
thou wilt find a solace there.

How often do we waste time forfeiting our peace because we do not go directly to the Lord in prayer?

He is my strength.  He is my shield. He gives me wisdom. He is faithful. He loves me. Oh why do I run anywhere else?

So will you allow me to get personal?  Where is the first place you run when you are burdened and overwhelmed?  Does the person or object you run to help?  Let’s share from our hearts.

Blessings and love,

 

 

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