Galatians 6:1–5, ESV
All who belong to the Lord know the struggles that the world that is rebellious against God places on us. It has caused struggle and strife in the world, and how it continues to create divisions among brothers and sisters of Christ. In this world, we all know suffering. It is the joy in Christ that we are called to cling to, and that joy is that which comes from the freedom we receive from Christ and Christ alone. It can be easy to see the stumbling and failure of another and become puffed up in believing that we are better than our fellow Christian. This is what we are being reminded to avoid. If we see another brother or sister struggling, we are meant to build them up and edify their faith. We lift them in our prayers and remind them of all the blessings that Christ brings. We cannot forget our own issues and struggles, but remember how our Lord lifted us out of despair into hope and offer those same reminders to another in times of difficulty. When they weep, we weep. When they mourn, we mourn. We also sing the praises to God, and the promises of Christ’s love are to flow from our mouths. We cannot force restoration, but in the love of Christ, we can bind the wounds. Outside of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are nothing and can do nothing. But in Christ, we are the bearers of hope and promise. The burdens that we bear are ours to bear, but in Christian fellowship, we can offer comfort and support that Christ gives to all of us, and like the one who was called to bear the burden of the Cross with Jesus to Golgotha, we come to the Cross and lay all our burdens down.
Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.