Dear CPC Flock,

In 1 Peter 5:7 Peter called his readers to cast “all your anxieties on [God], because he cares for you.” The Apostle Peter wrote these words to a struggling church. In addition to the difficulties of living in the 1st century—plagues, barbarians, and recessions—Believers were also being persecuted. Their anxieties were many. In the face of trying times and uncertain futures, what did Peter tell them to do? Literally, throw their cares upon God. Like you might have a saddle on a horse’s back, that’s what these struggling Christians were to do with their concerns. Let them rest upon the Lord and not themselves.

We live in a world where people are naturally disquieted due to health concerns, economic difficulties, relational tension, and more. We are easily filled with doubt and distress. We can find ourselves bearing the weight of a thousand issues—our own and others. However, Peter tells us to hoist these things upon the Lord.The cares we have about our futures, finances, and feelings of uncertainty, we are to give to God, and let him bear them.

Why are we to do this? Peter declares, “… because he cares for you.” The Apostle is saying, “Lay your burdens on the Lord, because not only is he able to carry them, but he is willing. Your cares are his cares.” Think about the people Peter was originally writing too. They were weighed down. Emotionally, they felt crushed. However, here he exclaims, “Put those matters upon the Lord. He loves you and will gladly take them. He will support you in the whelming flood.” Is that true for us in our day and time? Do we need proof? The Father loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10) He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things. (Romans 8:32)

The question is, do we believe God warmly attends to us? Do we believe it when troubles come our way? Do we believe that God cares? Look no further than the Cross, and evidence is found. See on Golgotha’s Hill the reason why we, as the people of God, can throw our worries upon the Lord, and give him our hopes for CPC. God in Christ bore our sins. He wants our burdens also. Since Christ can take our sins, surely, he can take our sorrows and struggles. Brothers and sisters, let us be faithful to cast all our cares on Christ’s strong shoulders.

Your Pastor and Friend,

Clif