Leave It There
Words: Charles Albert Tindley (b. July 7, 1851; d. July 26, 1933)
Music: Charles Albert Tindley
Note: This song was written in 1916. The incident that inspired it is described in the Wordwise link below (which includes a unique recording of it), along with an extended biography of Pastor Tindley.
(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)
Whatever concerns us is of interest to the Lord. Whatever troubles us we can take to Him in prayer. The Lord has promised when we do that He will give us peace.
“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Phil. 4:6, Amplified)
This is a wonderful promise! Here is another: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you (I Pet. 5:6-7). And yet another: “Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22).
But, human nature being what it is, we sometimes take our burdens to the Lord, and then drag them away with us again, when we depart from the place of prayer. It’s not long afterwards that we begin fretting all over again. That makes the title of Dr. Tindley’s song, and the phrase repeated twenty times in the text of the song (including the four refrains) so important. “Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there!”
Charles Tindley takes four common concerns that many of us have, and emphasizes the power of God to help us with them.
Material Shortages (1). Many struggle with a lack of funds. Perhaps a job lay-off is involved, or the inability to find work. Or it could be that senior years have brought a radically reduced income. The Lord Jesus encourages us to take a lesson from nature. The Lord looks after the birds of the air, so surely He will care for His blood-bought children (Matt. 6:25-26).
(1) If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meagre fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Health Struggles (2). God can certainly bring healing, within His will (I Jn. 5:14). But even when chronic illness and physical weakness continue, we can be assured that the Lord will give daily grace to do what pleases Him (Ps. 71:16; II Cor. 12:7-10).
Conflicts with Others (3). People can be hurtful to us, physically or emotionally, by what they say and what they do. This can be a result of carelessness, or of actual hostility. The Bible deals particularly with the latter when the opposition comes as a result of our witness for Christ. God’s Word assures us persecution is to be expected, but that the Lord is at work in and through it for His glory, and for our ultimate blessing (Jn. 15:18-21; I Pet. 1:3-7).
The Advancing Years (4). In my pastoral ministry I’ve visited many seniors who are lonely and all but forgotten. In some cases, family members and friends–and perhaps even their church–have failed them. And maybe they have lived to such a great age that family and friends (people they knew and loved) have long since died. It can be a grievous burden. But there is One who will never leave or forsake: the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps. 27:10; Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5-6).
(4) When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,
And your body bends beneath the weight of care;
He will never leave you then, He’ll go with you to the end.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Questions:
- Which of these problems is most pressing in your own life today? What will you do about it?
- Whom do you know that is suffering in one of these ways? How can you be God’s instrument this week to be of help?
Links:
- 26 July 1933 – Charles Tindley Died
- Leave It There (The Cyber Hymnal)