Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrew 12:1-2 (KJV)
In John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, our hero, Christian, seeks to rid himself of his burden of sin. Though Worldly Wiseman’s suggestions are wrong, his statements about the effects of a burden are true.
Worldly Wiseman: “I would urge you then, with all speed, to get rid of your burden; for your mind will not be at rest till then.”
Christian: “That is just what I seek to do. But there is no man in our land who can take it from me.” Pilgrim’s Progress Simplified Reading Series
When we accumulate troubles amid our daily routines, we may overlook their impact on our hearts and minds. But the longer we carry the weight, the more we feel the effects. In times like these, it is easy to become burdened with the cares of this life. But there is a solution: prayer.
Prayer is crucial in the lives of God’s people. I know I said it in my last devotional, but it is worth repeating. If our minds are to be at rest, we must unburden ourselves in prayer. For no man can soothe a troubled soul like Jesus!
If the cares of this life are weighing down your heart and mind, I hope you will take time to turn off the screen, shut out the noise, and get away with the Lord. I promise you will come away with a different mindset.
I’ll see you back here in a few weeks. Meanwhile, let’s pray for each other.
The Song
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Thro’ death into life everlasting
He passed, and we follow Him there;
O’er us sin no more hath dominion:
For more than conqu’rors we are!
His Word shall not fail you: He promised;
Believe Him, and all will be well;
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!
Helen Howarth Lemmel Public Domain
If you’d like to learn more about Helen Lemmel and Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, visit Luke Powell’s YouTube channel here.
The Video
I know I use Gaither videos more than any other. But they do a lot of hymns and keep the tune as it is written. And when singers join their voices in harmony. Wow! This one is from eleven years ago.
Gail Johnson 