Cast your cares on the Lord
Psalms 55:22 - A life grounded in faith produces an internal strength that cannot be shaken.
Image by Mike Cox via Unsplash
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
Psalms 55:22 NIV
Psalm 55 is another of the contemplations of David. The original ancient Hebrew word is מַשְׂכִּיל (maśkîl), defined as a “song or poem of contemplation”, something that David was gifted at writing. In this Psalm, the King was describing a time during which he was in a power struggle with a trusted friend. David knew who to reach out to when he was in a difficult and stressful situation — God, who had never let him down.
This verse begins with an interesting phrase — “Cast your cares on the Lord”. Looking again at the Hebrew in the original psalm, Psalm 55:22 begins with the word שָׁלַךְ (šālaḵ), which literally means “to throw, cast, throw away, cast off, shed”. David’s not just suggesting praying a little bit; he’s telling his listeners to dump all of their worries on the Lord! That implies that the person listening to (or reading) the psalm has trust in God’s sovereignty and care for His people.
David goes on to tell those listening to the psalm that God “will sustain you”. He had personal evidence of God’s continuing provision and support, and also knew how God had sustained the Israelites in the desert with manna, quail, and water centuries before. Whatever the challenge in a believer’s life, God always helps! A similar companion verse to this psalm is Isaiah 46:4:
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
God is faithful and strong, and always comes through for His people, “he will never let the righteous be shaken”! By righteous, David means those who live righteous lives aligned with God’s will.
What about that promise that God won’t let the righteous be shaken? That doesn’t mean that all those who live by God’s laws and principles will have happy, trouble-free lives — David’s own life was a perfect example of this, filled with trials and tribulations. But he was always certain that God was with him and supporting him through those times of trouble.
Jesus also used the imagery of being unshaken in one of His most memorable parables, that of the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24-25):
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
A life grounded in faith produces an internal strength that cannot be shaken.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Father in Heaven, I thank You that even when I am threatened by danger and evils, or beset by difficulties and frightening times, I know that I can cast my burdens upon You and receive Your strength. God, You are greater than anything in Your creation, and I have unshakable faith that You will always sustain me. AMEN.
He who began good work in us will be faithful in completing it. David knew where his strength came from.