Burdens: Samwise Gamgee...and Jesus (Part II)

Samwise offered to carry Frodo's load when he saw that his friend's exhaustion under it had left him unable to move. But it turned out to be impossible. Most of us rarely get that bad, but when we do...?

Others sometimes help us out...though not always. They may wish they could...but be unable to.  But we shouldn't get discouraged! There is always the One who walks at our side (if we let Him) and is ready to carry our burdens.

          His shoulders are broad enough to handle the heaviest load,
          his arms strong enough to secure the most crushing burden.

"Cast your burden on the LORD (release it) and He will sustain and uphold you..."  (Psalm 55:22)

"Yet it was our grief He bore, our sorrows that weighed Him down."  (Isaiah 53:4)

"Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you."  (I Peter 5:7)
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Samwise couldn't carry Frodo's burden, but he could carry Frodo himself.  Few of those close to us can carry us.  But, again, we shouldn't get discouraged! The only One capable of lifting us up and carrying us as far as we need Him to is just as present and willing as He was millenia ago when He reminded his people:

"You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagle's wings and brought you to Myself."  (Exodus 19:4)
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Where does He carry us?  "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart..."  (Isaiah 10:11)

For how long?  "There you saw how the LORD your God carried you...all the way you went." (Deuteronomy 1:31)
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Those of us who are "getting on" in age  can delight ourselves in this next verse...and you youngsters can hold the promise in your heart for the future!

                            "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, 
                                   and I am He who will sustain you. 
                                I have made you and I will carry you;                                                                          I  will sustain you and rescue you."   (Isaiah 46:4)

                                  Thank You, Father, for this promise!     
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(P.S. If you're wondering about Galatians 6:5, "For each one should carry his own load", the meaning is very different. It's saying that we are each responsible for our own conduct.  On the Bible Hub, it is well-explained thusly: Each one of us "must answer directly to God for his actions.  His responsibility cannot be shifted on to others." )