Summary: Satan is an unforgiving taskmaster. He loads his subjects with heavy yokes and sits on top them. Jesus is a burden bearer. He takes away the burden of his children and carries and cares for them.

TEXT: Isaiah 46:1-2

"Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages were heavy loaden; they are a burden to the weary beast. They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity."

SATAN, THE BURDEN LOADER.

Satan is a taskmaster. He loads his subjects with burdens that weighs them down and cause them to bow down and stagger. These yokes are so heavy that the carriers become stagnant. The children of Israel were in such a state in the land of Egypt until God heard their cry and sent them a deliverer, Moses (Exo 3:3-10). They were freed after 430 years of servitude. The Lord will deliver you from every satanic burden upon your head by his mercy in Jesus name.

JESUS, THE BURDEN BEARER

God saw the sufferings of the Israelites and sent them a deliverer. The same God has also sent Jesus Christ, his son, to deliver man from the burden of sin the devil loads upon the children of men. Jesus is here to lift the heavy burdens of lust, sickness, fruitless labour, pride, greed, unforgiveness, depression, etc from us and take them upon his shoulders. Jesus is saying to you today: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matt 11:28 NLT). Are you weary? Are you bowed down with satanic burdens? Come to Jesus today, he will set you free. John 8:36 says: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

While Satan load men with burdens, Jesus takes away these burdens to give us the rest we need. He is ready and willing to take of those who wholly put their trust in him, 1 Pet 5:8 says: "Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

There was a woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years. The burden drained her of all her resources but the day she made up her mind to cast the burden upon Jesus, she found sweet relief (Luke 8:43-44). Whatever burden you are carrying, as you cast them upon Jesus today he will lift them off you and grant you rest in Jesus name.

GOD CARRIES HIS CHILDREN.

The promises of God are true and in Isa 46:4, he made a staggering declaration: "I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you." God will not only take away satanic burdens from your life if you accept his son Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, he will carry and care for you the rest of your life. God gave Joseph wonderful promises at an early age, but Satan attempted to load his life with burdens to distract him. Joseph was determined to serve God and whatever burdens Satan brought upon his life, God took away and eventually, Joseph had rest as God promises were fulfilled spectacularly in his life (Gen 41:39-44).

Temptations and trials are inevitable for all believers, but they are tests that believers must overcome by putting their trust and hope in God. For every temptation Satan construes, God provides an escape route (1 Cor 10:13). The believer only needs to be watchful and prayerful. The Lord will make a way for you to overcome every temptation and help you to fulfil his purpose for your life in Jesus name.

While Satan loads his subjects with heavy burdens, God bears the burdens of his children and loads them with blessings on a daily basis. What a constrast!

CONCLUSION

Psalms 68:19 is a triple blessing for all believers:

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens" (NIV).

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits..." (KJV).

"Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms."

Who then will you rather serve? For me and my family, we will serve the Lord. What about you? Why not accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today?

PRAYER:

Father, thank you for your triple blessing upon my life. Please continue to bear my burdens daily, carry me day by day and load me with blessings everyday throughout my lifetime, as I put my trust in you in Jesus name.

CONFESSION:

In you Lord, I put my hope and trust.

God bless you. Shalom.