6.3.16

 
 
Devotional for Friday, June 3, 2016
“Are You Cumbered With Care?”
 
 
are we weak and heavy laden
by Dona Hake
 
 
 
 
Today I would like to share some words from verse three of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus”.   This song was written in 1855 by Joseph M. Scriven.   He wrote it to comfort his mother while she was ill.  Let us look closely and ponder these precious words that were put to music so very long ago.

“Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.”

 The word  ~Cumbered ~  is not one of those words you hear today. Defined it means

to hinder; hamper..
to overload; burden.
to inconvenience; trouble.
 
 
 
We can all identify those times when  our hearts have been  heavy, and cumbered with care.Our thoughts are hindered, and we cannot think straight. When we are weak from carrying care, our hearts and minds will go into overload, and it is going to affect us in many ways. It seems that the writer of this hymn appeared to have a revelation that his good Friend Jesus did not want him to try to bear the cares and burdens of this world nor did he want his mother, therefore this song was birthed.   As I read this verse I thought it’s enough to deal with resisting  carrying cares at times, but then he throws into the mix the thought of friends not only walking away, but being despised by them. Terrible thought isn’t it?
 
 

When you have what you thought was a friendship with someone, and something comes between you, it can be hurtful and devastating. So in this verse he asks, “Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?” Today I just want to encourage those of you that have deep hurt from broken relationships. Jesus with open arms wants to hold you and heal your heart. He promises that you will find solace in His embrace. Many times broken relationships are restored but sadly there are some that are not. Jesus still promises to be there, and be all that you need Him to be. Our Savior, still our refuge!

 
 

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”