Carrying Self as a Burden
A burden to myself. (Job 7:20, KJV)
Job 7:20; Prov. 5:22; Rom. 7:21-25; Rom. 8:12
What Is God Saying?
There are two readings for this verse in Job. The later translations based upon ancient scribal tradition and the Septuagint give one meaning, while most Masoretic texts have opposite meanings. In the former, Job asks God, "Why have you made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?" We are looking at the phrase, "Why have you set me as a mark against you so that I am a burden to myself?" The segment of the verse we are using reflects a feeling often found among us. We do become a burden to ourselves.
How Does This Apply To Us?
We bear many burdens. Some of the burdens make us stronger in spiritual warfare. Some of the burdens have to do with a desire for the spiritual health and well-being of others. Paul had a burden for the salvation of Israel. He refers to it as "great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart." (Rom. 9:2-3). Then Paul instructs us "to bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:2).
There is one burden that no one should continue to bear themselves. Like the pilgrim in Pilgrim's Progress, that burden falls off when we come to the cross. The hymn says, "Burdens are lifted at Calvary." The great thing about allowing Christ to rid us of our burden of self is the freedom to bear the burdens of others. Prayer becomes more and more meaningful as we are more and more relieved of the burden of ourselves.
Pray With Me
Loving Father, through Jesus Christ, You have shown yourself willing to bear all my burdens. Forgive me for the lack of faith that makes me a burden to myself and You. You have encouraged me in Your Word to cast all my cares upon You. Forgive me that I am so willing to hold back, as my special care, the heaviest burden of all: myself.
You have called upon me to get rid of this burden. You have called me to leave the crushing weight of sin at the foot of the cross. You have called me to leave the dark shadows of disappointment and sorrow at the door of the empty tomb. You have willed that I should be free. You have broken the captive's chains. You have opened the prison door. You have told me to walk out into the freshness, beauty, and joy of a new day and life. But strangely, I refuse to leave the cell of self and the chains of my forging. I insist on taking the burden of myself upon myself.
O Spirit of God, I want to be responsive to Your leading until, in the freedom of faith, I shall become a blessing to others and no longer a burden to myself. May this day find me closer to Him who said, "He who loses his life for My sake shall find it." Closer to Him, ever closer, until the touch of His love shall bring a flame to my heart that will remove the useless burden of myself. Closer to Him, ever closer, until by the touch of His love, I shall blaze for others a path of hope and good cheer.
In the name of Him whose love both liberates and lifts and who bore all my burdens on His cross. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
If we are only concerned about ourselves, we have one burden, and it can be a heavy one. If we see beyond ourselves in the life of prayer and begin to be concerned with others, we will have many burdens, and they will all seem light. It is good, in prayer, to let Jesus take the burden of ourselves off our shoulders so we can proceed directly and in love to the many burdens of many others.
