I Peter 5:7

Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

INTRODUCTION

God’s loving care for His people manifests across all dispensations. Among all the nations on earth, the Almighty chose Israel to be His own. He nourished them in the wilderness for forty long years. The fledgling Israelites were fed with manna; given water to drink and provided with meat. God took such care of them that their raiment waxed not old and their feet swelled not. He taught them to trust in Him, and to live by His Word alone. The Pillar of Cloud guided them by day and the Pillar of Fire provided warmth by night. God’s constant care and protection for His people was always there. God chose Israel for Himself: (Amos 3:2) “You only have I known of all the families of the earth”.

In this Dispensation of the Church Age, covered by the New Testament of the Bible, you and I are Spiritual Israel. God reveals His love and tender care for you as a care-taker in this world. God’s love and care for you will only make us ponder over His goodness, His majesty and magnificence. The evidence of God’s care for us is his willingness to sacrifice His Son for our sin.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus stated purpose for His ministry was that he had been anointed, appointed by God to preach the Good News:

Luke 4:18

“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed;”

Every time Jesus healed the blind, every time he touched the unclean, and every time he brought comfort to the bereaved, he was saying, “I CARE!”

1.GOD’S CARE IS ALL ENCOMPASSING

Matthew 6:30-32

“Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.”

God Know our needs. But because God is able and God cares, we can be assured that God will answer. The fact is that God is the only one that can provide for the personal and emotional needs. He cares for our body, our soul and our spirit.

2. GOD’S CARE IS UNCONDITIONAL

Despite man’s wilful and constant disobedience, Jesus yet died for our sins.

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

This demonstrates God’s deep and unconditional love for us. When we cared not for Him, when we turned our backs to Him in wilful rejection, He loved us. That is the message of the Cross: God’s care is unconditional.

3. GOD’S CARE IS PERSONAL

Isaiah 43:1

But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine.

To government, you are, at best, a number. Yet God knows who you are, and He knows you by your name. Nowadays, large employers seem to show scant regard for their employees. Rather, they have eyes only for their shareholders; those who are motivated purely by profit.

4. GOD’S CARE IS INVITATIONAL

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

God invites us to “cast all our cares upon Him.” There is not much care or compassion left in this world today. What the world needs is a sense of community. Even Christians are idly watching non-Christians perish on their way to Hell.

We have surrounded ourselves with so many comforts that we rarely bother to come out of our houses except to go to work or to the store. We keep busy with many things that we don’t have time to lend a helping hand when one is needed.

Romans 5:6-8

For when we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

God cares for you so much that Jesus Christ died for you

• while you were still a sinner
• while you were still unrighteous
• while you were still a long way off from Jesus
• while you were living your own life

Psalm 115:12

The LORD has been mindful of us; He will bless us

Even when we are not thinking about him, and even when our minds are not on him, He has been mindful of us and he loves us. Jesus cares for you.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

God is my refuge and strength. He is a very present help in my time of trouble.

Hebrews 13:5

… for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

He cares for you and he will never leave you or forsake you. Sometimes you might leave God or not live for him like you should. But God will never leave you. He knows your strengths and your weaknesses; and in spite of all that, He loves you.

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you

Our bodies cannot carry around all the cares and the stresses of this world. Rather, we were created to dwell in the Garden of Eden. But the Bible says we can cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us. Yes, Jesus cares for you.

• When we are in trouble – He cares.
• When we are sick – He cares.
• While we have sorrow – He cares.
• During our difficulties – He cares.
• When we feel lonely – He cares.
• When we have need – He cares.

Before the advent of modern farm equipment, most heavy work was borne by oxen, horses, and other powerful animals. To gain greater power and efficiency, farmers would link the two animals together, at the neck, by yoke. Then they could till the soil and prepare it for sowing. These animals were known as “beasts of burden”, for they carried the burden of the work-load for the farmer. Jesus used this powerful image to speak to our hearts:

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The choice is continuous caring of heavy burdens or perfect rest for your Soul. His offer to “give you rest” is still available today. In fact, He wants to give it to you. He never runs out. He never grows tired of giving.

5. OUR PART IN THE PROCESS

Psalm 55:22

Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you;

Our comfort comes in knowing who is concerned about us, God Himself. Our part is letting Him be in control of our lives,

1 Peter 5:6-7

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Our part in the process is remaining humble, with active cooperation, allowing ourselves to be put under God’s authority. Sometimes, we transfer only part of our burdens unto God, and keep part to ourselves; not fully trusting that He can handle them all. They must all be completely given to Him; without hesitation and without reservation.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
It is pointless to try and support yourself, because when we try, we will always fail. There’s a distinction between problems we can resolve and problems only God can resolve. Don’t expect Him to do the things that you NEED to do. On the other hand, don’t try to handle the things that only He can handle.

What happens when life falls apart?

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labour of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength.

When everything looks bad, there is nothing good at all, rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say rejoice! Was Habakkuk out of his mind? No. On the contrary, Habakkuk knew God cared, and he trusted his cares to God. Habakkuk’s placed his confidence not with the harvest, the cattle, or even his country. Habakkuk placed his confidence in God; the God who created all of these things.

What burden do you bear today?

Are your burdens Financial? Recall Matthew 6:33. God promised to provide for all your needs, but you must seek Him first.

Are you Physically burdened? Recall Paul’s request for respite from his physical limitations was answered in 1 Corinthians 12:9. God’s grace is sufficient.

No matter what your burdens or cares, remember Matthew 6:8b “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

Our part is transferring our burdens onto Him.

6. God’s Promise to Us

Psalm 55:22

“He will sustain you; He’ll never let the righteous fall.”
God is our Father, he will never let us stumble or fall!

I Peter 5:6-7

“God’s mighty hand will lift you up in due time; He cares for you.”
Christianity starts at that same point. He Cares for You!

CONCLUSION

Matthew 11:29

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The good news is that you have a choice, between CONTINUAL HEAVY BURDEN or REST FOR YOUR SOUL.
Allow Jesus to help today. He will relieve you of heavy burdens and you will receive rest for your soul.

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