Heavy Backpacks

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Psalm 68:19, NIV

Pediatricians are concerned that many children are carrying too much weight in their school backpacks. Lugging a heavy burden around all day can trigger chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain. The rule of thumb is that a child’s backpack shouldn’t be heavier than 10 to 20 percent of his or her body weight.

Many of us carry around burdens that are too heavy. Here are some of the Bible’s best “burden” verses:

• “The burden is too heavy for me” (Moses in Numbers 11:14, NIV).
• “We were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life” (Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8).
• “I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens” (Exodus 6:7).
• “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you” (Psalm 55:22).
• “When I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure” (Psalm 94:19, CEV).
• “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

Is your backpack too heavy? Cast your cares on Him by faith, and say with the psalmist, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens!”

If you want rest, O weary souls, ye can find it nowhere until ye come and lay your burdens down at His dear pierced feet.

C. H. SPURGEON