Backpacking anyone . . . anyone? I can’t imagine the strain of carrying everything I need for days at a time on my back! I would totally fail! I would either be begging someone to carry my water (8.35 lbs. per gallon) or renting a pack mule to haul my “necessities”.

So, you’ll understand my delight when I came across the following Bible verse: “Praise be to the LORD, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah” (Psalm 68:19). Oh, what a relief! The Lord who is always with me says that He will daily help me.

I close my eyes and imagine. Me and my pack. I watch as Jesus takes a peek at the busting-at-the-seams load I have bundled for the day. He encourages me to take off the pack so He can get a better look. He removes a hefty item asking, “Why is this in here? This is for someone else’s pack.” Unburying a couple of other odd objects, He adds, “And so is this . . . and this.” His eyebrows rise as He opens an over-sized container. I had crammed in enough of that item for multiple days instead of the amount needed for only today. Finally, Jesus gently prods His fingers through the remaining pockets and nods approvingly at the gear that I would need to complete my tasks for today.

He helps me lift the now roomier and lighter pack, the just-right-for-me pack. Then as Jesus walks beside me, He slides the straps over His shoulders. True, the pack contains all I need to successfully do my work for today, but Jesus is carrying the load beside me.

Praise God! He bears our burdens as we walk with Him.