Our Cares and His Care
Dearly beloved, have you ever been at the place that your troubles seemed so overwhelming that they caused you anxiety? I am sure we all have been there at one time or another.
I Peter 5:7 says: “Casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you.”
This was written to the strangers that were scattered abroad, the Diaspora of Israel. These saints were born-again of incorruptible seed; they had God’s spirit, and were part of the Church. They had been scattered abroad because of persecution.
These saints were, “kept by the power of God through faith [believing] unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
They faced manifold temptations and suffered because of the kingdom of God. Satan attacked them, and the trial of their believing was more precious than the assaying of gold that perishes. They may have been grieved by the trials they faced, but they were assured that they will receive the outcome of their believing, the salvation of their souls.
When Christ appears, they will receive glory, praise, and honor. They were exhorted to gird up their minds, and completely set their hope on the grace that the Lord Jesus Christ will bring them at his appearing. As Jesus suffered and was glorified, so will they.
In all their trials, God exhorted them to keep His ability and willingness to deliver them foremost in their thinking.
In 5:7, it says, "Casting all your care upon Him... "Care", is the Greek word, merimna: that which distracts the mind: anxiety, care, concerns. This anxiety draws us in two different directions, it distracts us.
The next part of the verse says, "...for He cares for you." "Cares", is from, melo, and it signifies that something is an object of care, especially care involving forethought and interest.
“Care” and “cares” are two different Greek words. As merimna implies anxiety, melo implies forethought and interest.
The word “casting” is epiripto, to cast upon, as casting garments on a colt (see Luke 19:35). Here it is used figuratively, of casting our care upon God. We saddle Him with our cares.
Our troubles may distract us, and we may be torn mentally between our troubles and believing that God will deliver us; we may have anxiety.
On the other hand, we are the object of God's care. He exercises forethought to care for our interests. He promises to supply all our needs through Christ Jesus our Lord. He works for our good in all things.
Beloved, our cares may distract us and mentally cause us anxiety, but with forethought God cares for the interests of His beloved. We should cast the things that cause us concern upon Him because we are the object of His concern; He cares for us. He is distracted for us and our interests.
We should learn from His exhortation to these saints; it is no less true today, dearly beloved.
He gives grace to the humble, therefore humble yourself under the strong hand of God so that He may lift you up in time. Cast your every concern upon Him because He cares for you. Cast your burden, your troubles, your circumstances, your lot upon the LORD, and he will hold you up; He cares for you. You are His beloved.