PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 21:34-38
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down.” (Luke 21:34)
There is a relationship between the things that Jesus warns about.
He mentions carousing and drunkenness, and then anxieties.
These are just some of many kinds of things that can weigh us down.
In my experience, the one feeds into the other, and vice versa.
Our sin-messed world and separation from God make us very anxious.
Satan loves to stir up our anxieties, often about non-existent concerns.
One way to manage those anxious feelings is through pleasure.
Carousing and drunkenness, immersing oneself in pain-numbing experiences.
But these addictive experiences only produce more trouble, more anxiety.
Excessive anxiety and self-indulgence accurately description our world today.
Even Jesus followers find themselves weighed down by these things.
“Be always on the watch and pray” (21:36); am I watchful in prayer?
Would continuous prayer help me with my own anxieties and indulgences?
Do I see these as a “trap” (v.34), and am I taking steps to fight them?
PRAYER
Lord, help me not to feed my anxieties and indulgences; help me to fight them! Impress it on my heart that I am under attack, and the enemy’s sole purpose is to weigh me down, to ruin me!
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down…” with many things. There is a lot I (we) can be anxious about – but I mustn’t let it weigh me down as Jesus cautioned. I know I can tend to do that – there is a lot that concerns me – so I do my best but at the same time I need to rest – and leave it to the Lord. There is a lot I cannot do or correct or solve. Lord help me to stay focused as there is a lot to do for your Kingdom – bless the efforts of each day – that I may be fruitful for your Kingdom I pray!
People came early in the morning to hear Him.
That is a great way to start the day. Start the day with the Lord and listen to His voice to carry you through the day. He is my strength and song. This is my Father’s world and I need His presence always and I need to focus the day on wht He desires me to do. Do I have the eyes to see Him throughout the day or the ears to hear His voice showing me the way? Prayerfully I live this day in His presence doing His will.
1 When we walk with the Lord
in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2 Not a burden we bear,
not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay;
not a grief or a loss,
not a frown or a cross,
but is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
3 But we never can prove
the delights of his love
until all on the altar we lay;
for the favor he shows,
for the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
4 Then in fellowship sweet
we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
what he says we will do,
where he sends we will go;
never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]