“Returns To the Throne"

"Returns To the Throne"

     "Casting all your cares upon Him, for He careth for you" (I Peter 5:7).

    We sometimes hear Christian communicators suggest that we should take our burdens to the Lord - and be sure to leave them with Him.  Certainly we should do this as we heed the Apostle Peter's command to cast our cares on the One who so cares for us.  However, our present lives often involve returns to the Throne of grace for reaffirmation of our confidence, particularly in times of great challenge and stress.    Such requirement does not necessarily mean that we did not trust our Heavenly Father on our previous visit.  Our spiritual enemies do not permanently surrender when we initially pray about a matter, nor are we perfected to the degree that we do not sometimes require more casting of the care.  "I'm back, Heavenly Father, to seek You again for strength and guidance, and to reaffirm to You and to myself - I trust You."

    "Be Thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress" (Psalm 71:3).

    The day will come when a perfectly faithful God will unite with the perfected faith of His trusting children in Christ.  A one time transaction of trust will suffice regarding God's promises, as "then shall I know even as also I am known" (I Corinthians 13:12).  No spiritual enemies will challenge our faith, no fleshly proclivity to unbelief will exist in us, and the environment in which we live will flow with the current of confidence rather than disbelief.  No "good fight of faith" will be necessary (I Timothy 6:12).  This is not that day.  Presently, we find ourselves on a battlefield that frequently challenges us, as allowed and even orchestrated by God.  As Joseph said to the brethren who sold him into slavery, "Ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good" (Genesis 50:20).  The challenges, rightly understood in the light of Scripture, provide opportunity to walk consciously with our Lord.  Again, some matters require both initial affirmation and frequent reaffirmation as our enemies wage war against us, and our Heavenly Father wages peace by calling us to Throne as often as required.  "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

    Let us cast our cares on the Lord, and indeed, leave them with Him.  However, let us also expect that we will often require returns to the Throne of grace as reminders that the burdens are safely in His care.  This is the reality of our present existence, wherein "the good fight" provides frequent opportunity to relate to our good Father.  He understands.  We must also understand so that we will not be discouraged by our need to "come boldly to the Throne of grace to obtain mercy, and to find grace to help in time of need."  And, to come again.

"Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."

(Colossians 4:2)

Weekly Memory Verse

     If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

(Galatians 5:25)