In the DARK times who cares for you? Who is there for you in the HARD times? When your heart is overwhelmed where is your refuge? Peter writing to the "elect" who had a genuine faith said, "casting all your care upon Him [God], for He cares for you." (1 Pet. 5:7).

What a WONDERFUL truth! God takes special care of His own. We are invited to cast ALL our care on Him. Whatever is troubling us, whatever is causing us great "care" can be given over to the Lord. Sometimes we just need a "session" where like David, "I declare before Him my trouble." (Ps. 142:2) Again, in Psalm 55:22 David says, "Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

David and Peter were on the same page. They had both learned the secret of giving your cares over to the Lord. Being human, we are weak and fragile. In truth we cannot do the "heavy lifting". We need God's help! We need His strength. We often speak of the "great apostle Paul". I think Paul would blush if he ever heard such a thing. Paul's testimony was: "I have learned in whatever state I am to be content" (Phil. 4:11). And what was his secret? In Phil. 4:13 he said, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Only with Christ's strengthening was Paul strong.

One time I had a heavy heart and I began to share with someone. However, it was not long and I quickly realized that this person really didn't care about what I was going through. As they say, "People really don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." That true!

When you bring ALL your cares to God and you start unloading on Him, we have the promise in 1 Peter 5:7 that HE CARES! No one else knows like He knows and no one else cares like He cares. When you know someone really cares then you share the burdens of your heart with them. David knew God cared and therefore He poured out the burdens of his heart before Him. This is a strengthening reality! We cast our cares on God and in the process, He strengthens our heart!

Psalm 103:13–14 (NKJV)
13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

"Casting prayer" is the privilege of God's children. Unbelievers have no access to God. No one comes to the Father except through Jesus (cf. Jn. 14:6). In truth unbelievers carry around a heavy burden all the time. They have the burden of sin upon them. The wrath of God abides on them (cf. Jn. 3:36). THAT IS HEAVY! "God is angry with the wicked every day." (Ps. 7:11). The LORD says, "There is no peace for the wicked." (Isa. 48:22).

To the unbeliever Jesus invites, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Mt. 11:28) Augustine said, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.” Come to Jesus and you will enter into His shepherding care. Then you too will be able to say, "The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack." (Ps. 23:1).

God has not promised that His children won't have HARD and difficult times, but He has promised to be there for us. He invites us to cast ALL our cares upon Him because indeed He cares for us.

Psalm 62:5–8 (NKJV)
5 My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
7 In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah