Text: Psalm 55:22 (NKJV):
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Introduction:
In a time of great uncertainty, despair, and widespread hardship in Nigeria, many are feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders. The high cost of living, unemployment, and the seeming silence of leadership have driven many to the brink of hopelessness. Some have lost faith in a better tomorrow, with heavy hearts and troubled minds, questioning where their help will come from. But today, we draw from the well of eternal hope, as we meditate on Psalm 55:22.

1. God’s Invitation to Cast Our Burdens

The verse opens with a powerful and personal invitation: “Cast your burden on the Lord.”
This is not a suggestion but a divine command. God, in His infinite love and understanding of our human frailty, knows that we cannot carry the weight of life’s challenges on our own. He calls us to cast—to throw, to release—our worries, fears, and pains upon Him.

Nigeria, we are encouraged today to let go of the burdens that weigh us down. The economic hardships, the societal pressures, and the personal battles we face were never meant to be borne alone. God is standing by, with arms outstretched, waiting for us to place our heavy loads upon Him.

2. The Promise of Divine Sustenance

“And He shall sustain you;”
God’s promise is clear—when we cast our burdens upon Him, He will sustain us. To sustain means to uphold, to strengthen, to nourish, and to carry through. In the face of job loss, rising prices, insecurity, and personal challenges, this is God’s assurance: He will carry us. We may not always know how, but God’s ways are higher than ours.

Many Nigerians may feel like giving up because they don’t see an immediate way out. But God’s sustenance is not always visible to the human eye. When we trust Him, He works behind the scenes, providing for us in unexpected ways, opening doors where there seem to be none, and sending help from places we never imagined.

3. The Steadfastness of the Righteous

“He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”
This is a promise of stability, even in the midst of life’s storms. To be “moved” implies to be shaken, disturbed, or uprooted. But for those who cast their burdens on the Lord and trust in His sustenance, God promises that they will not be overwhelmed by the challenges they face.

Nigeria, this is our assurance: no matter the trials we are currently enduring—whether personal struggles or national crises—God will not allow us to be shaken beyond what we can bear. We may bend, but we will not break. We may cry, but we will not be consumed by despair. God is our rock, and He remains steadfast for those who lean on Him.

4. Hope for the Weary

As we meditate on this verse, let us be reminded that our current hardships are not the end of the story. God is faithful to those who trust in Him. For every Nigerian feeling weighed down by life’s burdens, remember this: God’s invitation to cast our burdens on Him is not limited by time or circumstance. Whether you are a student worried about your future, a parent concerned for your family, or someone battling depression in the face of economic hardship, God’s arms are wide open.

Conclusion:

Beloved, God has not forgotten Nigeria. In these challenging times, let us heed His call to cast our burdens on Him. He is faithful and just to sustain us and keep us from falling. Let us hold on to this divine assurance and walk in faith, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.

Let us end with a word of prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your unfailing love and for the assurance that You will sustain us in these trying times. As a nation and as individuals, we cast our burdens upon You today. Strengthen our hearts, renew our hope, and keep us grounded in Your grace. We trust that You will never allow the righteous to be moved. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.”

©️James Ola Emiola-Dakobiri FIIM,
Founder and Chairman,
Suicide Prevention and Depression Support Foundation
✍🏽james@spdsfoundation.org
☎️773-344-6313

“For more inspirational lecture series by the author, kindly visit www.spdsfoundation.org.”