The Cure for Care (1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 55:22)

[The parable of the seed and the soils (Matt.13:22;Mk.4:19;Lk.8:14) speak of the cares of this life, but other equally well loved passages, provide further definition and meaning to the word "cares"].

1 Peter 5:7 says that we are to cast all our cares on the Lord, because He cares for us.

CAST - This is a word meaning to deposit with someone, once and for all.

ALL- This word speaks of the WHOLE of our care.

CARES - This word speaks of what occupies our thoughts, with the implied meaning of trying to provide for our needs, or those of someone else. (see Occupy Until He Comes).

In the OT, where this passage is quoted from (Ps.55:22), the word "cares" is translated " burden", from the Hebrew. The word in the Hebrew conveys the idea of a load that we carry, similar to a backpack. This NT passage is exhorting us to take the whole load of the backpack, that we are carrying, from off of our shoulders, and place it upon our Lord.

It must be remembered, that these scriptural exhortations are not idle words, but are based on practical, completely achievable results!

The cure for care is based on the latter part of this verse.

CARES - This second word for care has to do with our Fathers intimate concern for us. Again, in the OT, the Hebrew word, in Psalm 55:22, is translated (in the KJV) as "sustain", and means, "to hold in", like a cup would contain water. The meaning, in this verse, is ''to provide for''.

The Greek word used in the LXX, gives even further insight to the meaning of this text. Though the general meaning of the Greek word, in Psalm 55:22, is to feed, the specific meaning goes well beyond, to expound on the reason that we can cast all of our care, once and for all, onto our loving Father.

1) First of all, the word not only speaks of providing food, but it is used numerous times, in classical Greek literature, concerning the upbringing or raising of a child, or children. It describes every aspect of care, including education; physical and mental provision; social needs, and in fact, covers every aspect of their welfare.

2) It is used frequently, of the gentle nursing of babies, in the loving arms of a care-giver. This intimate imagery alone conveys ample reason to place our faith in our Father. [compare the definition of faith, in the word study, Our Loving Father].

3) This word is also used repeatedly in contractual arrangements, where every provision is established and agreed upon, for the care of another.

What is even more emphatic, is that the word in Psalm 55:22, has an added prefix, which intensifies the meaning of the word.

In other words, the reason that we can completely cast all of our concern upon the Lord, is because:

1) He is intimately concerned with providing for our every need, (like a mother gently cares for a nursing baby), whether physically; mentally; socially; spiritually; financially; He has it all covered, both now and in the future.

2) He has obligated Himself by covenant, to ensure that our every need is met, both now and always.

3) As the prefix indicates, not only will He provide for every single one of our needs, but He will go over the top in His provision for us, taking care of us right down to the most minute detail!

Therefore, in occupying our thoughts, with the truth of His word, we can have complete confidence in His provision, both now and always.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.