How often do we come with our burdens before the unchallengeable, all-loving God and Savior of our souls? We come and worship Him from the muck and mire that is the guilt and shame of our innumerable missteps that forever seem to encumber our lives. We come with an unspoken pain and grief and desire for Him to lift these burdens from our weary shoulders. Yet Peter said, “…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.” 1 Peter 5:6-7.

So let’s take action today! Let us take all of our fears, failures, cares, and concerns, and cast them down on the blood-stained ground beneath the wondrous Cross of Christ. Be set free! Jesus proclaimed, “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. When we have been set free, our worship becomes gratifying to God, pleasing to Him, and therefore refreshing to us. We could all do with more of an unencumbered enthusiasm for making glad the heart of God. David wrote, “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalms 34:1. Maybe today you and I long to be refreshed in the Lord but cannot see from beneath the umbrella of burden that we carry. Let it go! Now, look up, for your redemption is near.