Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Hebrews 10:35 KJV

The film, Castaway, starring Tom Hanks, tells the story of a pilot who after crash-landing his airplane in the ocean, ends up on a desert island. As the slow plot line dragged on, I found my mind wandering and wishing that something dramatic would happen. Just about anything would do! But the reality was that until help came, there was nothing for this guy to do but talk to a soccer ball he named, Mr. Wilson. In today’s verse God urges us not to do this with our faith. Don’t give up! Don’t lose hope! Don’t become a castaway talking to a soccer ball! Yet when we face what appear to be never-ending challenges to our faith, we are tempted to do just that. But the confidence we have in God is a hope that doesn’t just sit around wishing for rescue; it is spiritual reality with a great reward! “That sounds great,” I can imagine you saying, “But where do I begin?” I suggest we start by another kind of casting.

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

If we were thrown overboard in a storm, I am pretty sure that none of us would unsnap our life preserver and cast it away. Yet when we face hardships and the very real problems of life, we are sometimes tempted to think that letting go of our faith and trust in God will bring us some relief. The Apostle Peter urges us to do just the opposite. Instead of casting away hope, He tells us to cast away our cares. In the middle of trials, we need to remind ourselves that God still cares for us. His mercies never fail and are new every morning: even mornings that dawn in emergencies rooms or on battle fronts.

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV

In the middle of the pressures of life we can have confidence because God cares for us and He carries us, and just as He did for the multitude on a hillside one day, He gives us multiplied bread to provide for our need. Now He is waiting to see what we will do with the bread of His compassion and mercy. Will we just gobble it all own for ourselves, or will we do just a little more casting?

Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Ecclesiastes 11:1 KJV