August Devotional: Under the Son
By Major Dina Graciani
Director of Special Services – Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command
Ae you weary or heavy burdened? Does life seem extremely challenging with all that is thrown at you? Do you feel like “enough is enough” and that you just don’t think you can handle what tomorrow might bring?
Then, I have good news for you, there is a Savior who wants to relieve you of all those burdens that weigh you down in life. His name is Jesus and He loves you more than words can describe.
Consider what troubles or worries you today. I want you to know that Jesus wants you to run to Him, to lay those troubles and worries with Him. The Bible tells us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
Jesus wants to carry us, be it through illness, loss of a job, marital challenges, wayward children, any and all that weighs us down can be turned over to Jesus. Give it to Him, give it all to Him and let Him give you rest as you trust in Him. I have often found going to Jesus for rest does not necessarily mean He will take away the burden or challenge but give us the strength to go through it so we can grow through it! It’s during those times of going through the problems of life that we can become stronger in our faith.
Recently I was reminded that under the Son of God’s care we can see His hand of grace blocking things that would cause us much despair. He knows that is more than we could handle so He protects us from being overloaded. Recently at the Riverside ARC, in Perris, California, we had a massive fire that wiped out one of our buildings. Although we lost our entire annex building, God’s hands of grace hovered over our chapel, men’s residence, dining room, administration building and thrift store. It was clearly evident that the hand of God protected our men in our program and all our employees! Yes, the loss of a 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse is devastating but we focus on how God spared the rest of the campus! God knows what we can endure. It’s as if God said to the winds and the fire that took place that day, “no, you’re not touching or torching this!”
Have you been in situations like this? Can you look at a situation that has happened to you or a close family member and see how God has placed your circumstances under the Son’s care?
Proverbs 18:10 say, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Run to Jesus, let Him carry your burdens and sustain you as you go through life’s challenges, you will find that going through life’s problems with Jesus will offer you the opportunity to grow through it!
When you are under the heat of the sun and life’s daily struggles hit you in the face… know that you are under the Son’s graceful care.
Download the printable version of this devotional
Note: Also on our website is UNDER THE SON Bible Study and UNDER THE SON/SUN games and activities that coordinate with this devotional.
