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In his first letter chapter five Peter writes this in verse seven:  “Cast all your care upon him for he careth for you.”  

The Greek word ‘merimna’ means anxiety, worries, or concern. Hence several of the new translations use the word ‘anxieties’ in lieu of ‘care’. And who in our hectic world is absolutely free from anxiety, worries, or concerns? They are unwelcome companions of our day to day life.

The location of this instruction that Peter gives is rather interesting. In the very next verse, he reminds his readers that our enemy is prowling about looking for opportunities to ‘devour’ the faithful. It is also worth noting that his readers were dealing with ‘afflictions’ as were other believers in their world.

We often treat the instruction “Cast all your care upon him for he careth for you.”  As a stand alone snippet from scripture well suited for decorative wall plaques. But I think it is quite possible that we need to considerate it in conjunction with the words about our prowling lion seeking to devour us. If we fail to manage our anxiety, worries, and concerns by embracing our Lord’s help, they do have the acidic power to eat away at our emotional and spiritual well being. Check with the counsellors of our day and you will find that many are struggling to deal with these issues.

Obeying this instruction from Peter is admittedly easier said than done. But take the words at face value, he does care for you, that being true, trust him to deal with your anxiety, worries, and concerns.

There is a beautiful little chorus that goes: “He is our peace who has broken down every wall, he is our peace, he is our peace, cast all your care on him for he careth for you, he is our peace, he is our peace.”

What is better,  constant internal wrestling with these issues or turning them over to ‘our peace?

 

 

Pastor Dave