Leave It There

Recently Norma Jean and I attended a concert by singer songwriter Rory Feek at his concert Hall in Columbia, Tennessee. One of the songs he sang was called, “Leave It There.”

We were not familiar with this song, but ironically Jerry Baxter  led  it at our worship service Sunday from the Sacred Selections song book.

The four verses offer a great message for all Believers

Verse 1
If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Verse 2
If your body suffers pain and your health you can’t regain,
And your soul is almost sinking in despair,
Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Verse 3
When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,
Don’t forget that God in heaven answers prayer;
He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Verse 4
When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,
And your body bends beneath the weight of care,
He will never leave you then, He’ll go with you to the end,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Written in 1916 by African-American Minister, Charles A. Tindley, the lyrics remind us of a passage from Psalm 55:22. “Cast your burden on the Lord,  And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

It also relates to Jesus’ invitation and promise in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The theme and thesis of the song speak to real life issues we may face either in our own lives or those of our friends, family, or brethren.

#1 While many of God’s greats such as Abraham, Job, or Solomon were wealthy, Jesus has not promised His followers untold material riches.

This notion is contrary to the prosperity preaching of some televangelists today. Of course, these con artists want you to send them money to enrich their coffers, claiming you will receive some extraordinary unexpected windfall.

God has promised that He would provide for our basic needs. The Psalmist David observed, “I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). Furthermore, Jesus reminds us in His famous Mountain message that if our Heavenly Father provides for “the birds of the air,” will He not meet our needs who are valuable than the fowl? (Matt. 6:26).

If you’ve suffered business reversals or are experiencing financial problems, it’s a good time to cast your burden on the Lord.

#2 Sickness, suffering, and pain is the common lot of humankind.

Causal observation and often personal experience remind us that Christians are not exempt from disease, illness, and injury. Physical pain takes various forms, we all deal with it to some degree. Obviously, some folks more than others.

Yet, for all of us we should not only seek medical help, but pray for health and healing (Jas. 5:14-15). The Great Physician can heal, but He can also provide comfort, give us strength, and even help us find purpose in our suffering. When Paul prayed for the removal of his “thorn in the flesh” God’s answer was His sufficient grace to give him strength through his weakness (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

#3 Christians will not always be liked. Sometimes we will be hated.

In the shadow of the cross Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (Jn. 15:18).

First century persecution of Christianity is well documented both in sacred and secular writing. So, it should not shock us when our culture turns against us. When we’re reviled. When we’re mocked. When we’re falsely accused. When we’re persecuted.

#4 Youth is fleeting an old age is inevitable.

If we’re fortunate to escape some premature disease or accident and live to a ripe old age, we can be assured that our strength will finally fail and the body will succumb to the frailties of the flesh. All the diet, exercise, and vitamins cannot prevent the eventual inescapable and the undeniable.

Read Ecclesiastes 12. It offers, as Wiersbe suggested, “one of the most imaginative descriptions of old age and death found anywhere in literature.”

All of these burdens and many more are real. They are difficult. Challenging. And sometimes oppressive. What’s the solution? Tindley’s song offers the answer in the refrain.

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

“Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman