Cast!

Cast!

casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

Context and Charge:

As always, it is ideal to sort out the target audience of this verse, so we know what to expect from those who claim this identity. Who are these people? Peter refers to them as the 'elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.' The trinity is involved: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. God who calls men to himself seeks to introduce his nature, power and wisdom. He wants me to know who He is, what He can do and what He demands from me. In this instance, God wants me to 'cast all my care upon him.' This is deep; what would this entail?

To cast is to 'throw something forcefully.' It means that I have a lot of baggage to work through, and I need help. If I will seek help,  I must know the capacity and capability of the One who offers help. If He tells me to cast all my care on Him, it is because He has power to take care of it all. I also note I don't have to be careful of overloading him with all my care as He is more than capable of taking care of all my care. I really shouldn't bother about how it makes God feel; He is happy to help, quick to respond and his help is more than sufficient for life. Am I weighed down by the burdens I have held on to for a long time or would I take advantage of who God is and what He offers?

Conviction and Conclusion:

It is ALL my care, not some. It is not even just the ones I can't  handle, but all of them, warts and all. The devil would have me think that there are some things I should not bother God about  but if it is God who says cast, why would I hold on to the care? If He is willing to take them all, why should I burden myself with what I don't need to? His instruction to me to cast all my care on Him reveals his heart of love. I also note the definition of care, which is what God offers. This is 'the provision of what is necessary for the health, welfare, maintenance, and protection of someone or something.' God is presented to me in many ways, one of which is Jehovah Jireh, my provider. 

He is more than enough to meet all my needs, because He created all things and they answer to Him. His care is such that He touches every area of my life: the physical, spiritual, mental, psychological, financial and emotional. His care is so amazing that I do not have to do anything to earn, deserve or merit it, but he gives me all the same. This This is what makes God's care so amazing. It is freely given; if I had to pay for it, the rich of the world will run a monopoly. The One who is able to bear all my care is also the One who cares for me. My care must be in His care, so that His care becomes my complete care. God's time of favour is here.