“Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you” (Psalm 55:22).

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

These days, I can’t read verses like this without thinking about the devastation left by Hurricane Ida, Haiti, the nightmare of Afghanistan and the Taliban, the rising number of Covid cases in our country and the world around us.

I can’t help but wonder what it would be like a Christian in Afghanistan who have been visited by the Taliban telling them, “We know who you are and we are coming to get you.”

These Bible promises of God’s comfort and care read differently when I place myself in the place of Afghan Christians in a country ruled by the Taliban.

I know. This has been a stressful and exhausting season. And, instead of getting easier, it only seems to get worse.

What more can happen? I thought we were almost out of this whole Covid thing. Instead, we’re seeing some of the worst numbers. And to top it off, Afghanistan, Taliban, Haiti, Hurricane Ida. How much more, Lord?

Come on! God, what is going on?!?!

If you’re feeling that, I get it. I feel that too.

So, what are we supposed to do with God’s promises when living in a world that seems out of control? What’s more true? God’s promises or the reality of our world?

First thing to know: God’s promises are true. When we go to God with our burdens, he takes care of us. He gives us rest.

If God gives us his care and rest, how come I don’t feel it right now?

The truth of God’s comfort and care doesn’t mean life is without its trials and difficulties. Trusting and believing in God doesn’t mean that God removes us from the world that is full of suffering and trials. Trusting and believing in God does mean that God will use suffering and trials to bring about his kingdom. God gives suffering and trials purpose and meaning. Nothing is wasted. Not one tear. Not one prayer. Not one hope.

The thing that we want is for God to establish the fullness of the kingdom of God in our lifetime. We want to see God’s fullness right now, in our lifetime. But God doesn’t think in life times. God’s kingdom purpose is multi-generational. It is eternal.

We get to be a part of God’s kingdom building that spans the generations and lifetimes.

I don’t get suffering and trials. I don’t like them either. I hate the thought of Afghan Christians under the threat of the Taliban. I don’t know how martyrdom is good.

But, ultimately, my job isn’t to “get it” and understand God’s plan. My job is to trust God’s plan and join God in establishing his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. And, that’s your job too.

Take your burdens to God. Let him know how you’re feeling. Let him know your hurts. And receive his rest and care. Be reminded of God’s eternal, multi-generational kingdom plan. God’s plan is much, much bigger than our lifespan.

Trust God. Be encouraged.

“We live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

There is much happening in our world I don’t understand.

• I don’t understand the chaos of Afghanistan
• I don’t understand the devastation of the people of Haiti
• I don’t understand the division of people in our country, our congregation over things like the vaccine and masks
• The Taliban have been visiting Afghan Christians and telling them, “We know who you are. We will come back to get you.”

I don’t understand any of this. I don’t understand how any of this can turn out for the good. I don’t understand how the martyrdom and the senseless persecution of Afghan Christians by the Taliban can turn out for the good.

There is so much that is happening in our world that I don’t understand.

But here’s the thing. My job isn’t to understand. My job is to trust God.

Because God is at work to establish his kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven whether I can see it or understand it. God’s work and purposes don’t depend on my understanding.

God declares:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your thoughts. As the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth; It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:8-11).

I needed that. I needed this reminder.

God is good. God is at work whether I understand it or not. That’s not my job. My job is to trust God.

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:25).

What did Jesus mean when he said our verse of the day?

It is true that in the middle east the entry way into holy sites have a “door” where it is impossible for grown adults to enter without stooping down. Stooping down to enter is a symbolic representation of our humility that is required to enter that space.

This is true but it still misses the point.

The point is that whether its an entry way into holy sites or whether Jesus was referring to an actual eye of a needle, it’s impossible for a camel to fit there.

The main point is the impossibility of such an occurrence.

Salvation is an impossibility.

Salvation is an impossibility because there is no way sinners like you and me can ever stop sinning. We might have fantastic intentions, but being sinless and a perfect keeper of God’s commands for the rest of our lives is an impossibility.

Salvation is an impossibility because there is no amount of good that we could ever do to change the reality that we are sinners.

Salvation, for sinners, is an impossibility.

Well that’s a bummer. What are we supposed to do now?

Great question!

Look at what Jesus says right after our verse: “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

Salvation, for sinners, is an impossibility. But salvation, which is impossible for human beings, is absolutely possible with God.

This doesn’t mean salvation was easy. Salvation cost Jesus everything! But because of the cost paid by Jesus, salvation is available to all who confess their sins and believe Jesus is Lord.

Salvation is made possible in and through Jesus Christ.

Believe the good news. Believe in Jesus.

That which is impossible has been made possible by God himself.