Casting Fish Hooks and Burdens

O. T. #1687  "Casting Fish Hooks and Burdens"
May 11, 2020
Isaiah 54-Part 5
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22)

LET IT GLOW

One of the delightful memories I have as a child was going fishing with my parents. My grandparents, who lived just down the road, lived on a section of our local creek, as well as some neighbors. Now let me tell you, Mom took fishing seriously. She had caught minnows and dug up worms ahead of time. One thing I learned about her was to not interrupt her waiting for that fish, usually a bass, to nibble her line. On the other hand, Dad was happy to share his pole with me. He would bait it and caste the hook into the waters. Sometime we would catch a small perch and sometime we would catch nothing. It didn't matter to us, for we spent time together. Dad taught me how to caste with my own pole later on. Oh, how I miss those days.

Read the above verse. We are to cast our burdens upon Jesus, like my parents caste out the hook to catch a fish. Our God loves us so much that He wants to sustain us during this time. Will we caste what is weighing down our heart to Him to carry? When we do, then we don't have to carry those problems and unsurities of life. We trust the Lord to handle them.

The compassion and everlasting love of God are two of the most important concepts in the Old Testament. Our Redeemer will have great mercies on us. That is what we found out previously. Jesus is the one who stands with wide open arms to pour out His love and compassion upon us. Have you received yours today?

Like the storm-battered Jerusalem, storms of affliction, trouble, and desolation come to toss us about. This isolation is not going to last forever, friend. We have a future and a hope. Isaiah jumps to future eternal messianic reign following the millennium (Rev. 21). What will the New Jerusalem, which Jesus will build, be like? We have some promises in verses 11-17, which will apply to us as children of God:

• It will be rebuilt with precious jewels and shining gems, those foundations, towers, gates, and windows. 
• The children will be taught about and by Jesus and enjoy peace. (verse 13)
• Spiritual richness of truth and peace will prevail along with righteousness. (verse 14)
• Don't fear, for oppression and terror will not come near, your enemies will stay away. (verse 14b)
• If any come to fight and attack, they will go down in defeat. (verse 15)

Because righteousness is the foundation of the city, its security and safety is assured. (Holman Illustrated Bible Commentary)

LET IT GROW

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. this is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. (verse 17)

Isaiah is using military (weapon) and legal judgments (accusations) as metaphors, God proclaims that His people will withstand all attacks because of His protection from would-be conquerors.

What are we reassured in this verse?

• No weapon that is brought again us will succeed.
• Every implication or accusation that comes against us, whether in a formal accusation or irresponsible gossip. The church will withstand it and so can we.
• Our inheritance as servants of Jesus is righteousness. Not our own self-righteousness, but the free gift of Jesus' righteousness, which He give us.

God's grace knows no bounds. It is always available to believers.
Are there any weapons coming against you? Let Jesus handle it.

LET IT GO

Thank You Jesus for bearing our burdens and protecting us from weapons formed against us.