Just pondering over 1 Peter 5, and would love to share with focus on verse 7. If using any sectioned bible you will notice the NIV uses the title: ‘To the Elders and the Flock’ for verses 1-11, while the Message version, says ‘He’ll Promote You at the Right Time’ – interesting; just an observation. Verse 6 runs into verse 7, so we’ll start from 6:
6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7.
Casting cares is a form of prayer, but I often prefer to just call it ‘casting cares’. My reason is that most times in prayer, we are thinking; what is the most appropriate way to pray this? Or how do I put it, since it is God we are talking to here? – And like thoughts… With such attitude/orientation it is possible to be praying something while bearing something else in mind.
But the idea of ‘casting cares’ is like an old community setting when a king shows up to listen to the complaint of the citizens (rather than send representatives – which is the norm).They (the citizens) know that this is an opportunity to get their crucial needs met, so they just cast ‘all’ their cares. In order words, say it as it is and say it all. And since it is the king’s kingdom and therefore His inherent joy to see the people prosper, he gets to address or attend to the issue.
Now we have a clear picture of ‘Casting Cares’ – let’s see how we ought to go about this from our key passage:
Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God
Casting all your care upon him
So, we have to firstly approach God’s presence with humility, then we pour our heart before him – emphasis on ‘…ing all’ means that
As a Christian the most challenging questions (which stirs me thinking) are not stuffs like: “Does God exist? If yes prove it?” even if it came from a non-believer. Questions that often make me go mmhh, actually relate to the test of faith, like “How do I love my neighbor although…”, “I have seen people healed when I pray, but I’m not… why” … and similar seemingly simple but timeless questions. In times of test (of faith), we pray, we have faith, we hope, we love… and most importantly we cast our cares – because God cares for you and me, and He understands most. Isaiah 55:8-13.
Let’s finish up with Hebrews 12:1. O thank you God. Ok, Hebrews 12:1 –
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [KJV]
The first verse talks of two kinds of weight - unnecessary weight and the weight of sin. There is a point when a need becomes unnecessary weight – cast the care; take it to Jesus (verse 2). And anytime done casting the care, press on, live your life unto God to the full, with faith and patience. Philippians 3:13-14. While running the race, never forget to cast all your cares upon Jesus (take it all in prayer).
Remain forever blessed.
6. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7. Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7.
Casting cares is a form of prayer, but I often prefer to just call it ‘casting cares’. My reason is that most times in prayer, we are thinking; what is the most appropriate way to pray this? Or how do I put it, since it is God we are talking to here? – And like thoughts… With such attitude/orientation it is possible to be praying something while bearing something else in mind.
But the idea of ‘casting cares’ is like an old community setting when a king shows up to listen to the complaint of the citizens (rather than send representatives – which is the norm).They (the citizens) know that this is an opportunity to get their crucial needs met, so they just cast ‘all’ their cares. In order words, say it as it is and say it all. And since it is the king’s kingdom and therefore His inherent joy to see the people prosper, he gets to address or attend to the issue.
Now we have a clear picture of ‘Casting Cares’ – let’s see how we ought to go about this from our key passage:
Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God
Casting all your care upon him
So, we have to firstly approach God’s presence with humility, then we pour our heart before him – emphasis on ‘…ing all’ means that
- casting is a continuous practice (has to be a formed attitude), and
- we have to sincerely present ‘all’ cares – everything that’s a burden at that point of casting.
As a Christian the most challenging questions (which stirs me thinking) are not stuffs like: “Does God exist? If yes prove it?” even if it came from a non-believer. Questions that often make me go mmhh, actually relate to the test of faith, like “How do I love my neighbor although…”, “I have seen people healed when I pray, but I’m not… why” … and similar seemingly simple but timeless questions. In times of test (of faith), we pray, we have faith, we hope, we love… and most importantly we cast our cares – because God cares for you and me, and He understands most. Isaiah 55:8-13.
Let’s finish up with Hebrews 12:1. O thank you God. Ok, Hebrews 12:1 –
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. 2. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. [KJV]
The first verse talks of two kinds of weight - unnecessary weight and the weight of sin. There is a point when a need becomes unnecessary weight – cast the care; take it to Jesus (verse 2). And anytime done casting the care, press on, live your life unto God to the full, with faith and patience. Philippians 3:13-14. While running the race, never forget to cast all your cares upon Jesus (take it all in prayer).
Remain forever blessed.