Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. ” The 55th Psalm is a hymn attributed to King David. Its theme is the King's petition to His God for help and protection from those who were threatening David's kingdom. While the hymn is largely given in the format of a prayer—starting with the words, "Give ear to my prayer, O God"—nevertheless, David's psalm is interspersed with counsel to those who hear the words of his inspired song.
In our verse for today, David declares that the Lord protects the righteous, preventing them from being "shaken," destroyed, or "dislodged" from their faith and from paths of safety. And, thus, we can trust Him to protect us and to sustain us—physically, spiritually, and even temporally.
The 7th century Eastern Orthodox saint, Isaac of Nineveh (circa AD 613-700), commented on this verse, explaining: "If you believe God makes provision for you, why be anxious and concerned about temporal affairs and the needs of your flesh?... 'Cast thy care upon the Lord, and He will nourish thee,' and you shall never be dismayed at any terror that [attempts] to overtake you." We can trust God and His promises—and evidence of that "trust" is our willingness to turn to Him (instead of to worldly "solutions") when there are challenges in our lives.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
