God Gives More Than You Can Handle — He Carries Us

Jul 05, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When "My God, Why?" Becomes Worship

David’s raw cry in Psalm 22 mirrors our deepest anguish, yet his choice to still say “my God” transforms despair into trust. This tension reveals faith isn’t about suppressing questions but directing them to the One who bore abandonment on the cross. Like Jesus’ cry of forsakenness, our honest laments become doorways for divine companionship. Shadows feel real, but the Light never leaves. [56:14]

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.” (Psalm 22:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: What unresolved “why” have you been hesitant to bring to God? How might voicing it as “my God” shift your perspective from isolation to intimacy?

Day 2: Strength Made Perfect in Dunking Failures

Paul’s thorn taught him Christ’s power thrives in human limitation—like a parent carrying a toddler mid-tantrum. The pastor’s confession about hospital drives mirrors this: weakness isn’t failure but the runway for grace. Sheep stuck on their backs needn’t shame themselves; they need the Shepherd’s hands. [53:42]

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV)

Reflection: Where are you exhausting yourself trying to “fix” what only grace can carry? What would it look like to let your limitation become an altar for His strength?

Day 3: Green Pastures and ICU Waiting Rooms

Jehovah Rohi doesn’t promise problem-free pastures but presence in the chaos. The pastor’s wife’s 14-week hospitalization mirrors David’s paradox: “I shall not want” amid lack. A shepherd’s job isn’t removing wolves but ensuring sheep lack nothing essential—His nearness. [01:04:11]

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23:1-3a, ESV)

Reflection: What “lack” consumes your focus? How might His presence be the deeper provision beneath your perceived need?

Day 4: Anointing Oil in Enemy Territory

God prepares feasts not after battles but during them. Like the pastor’s humor about irritating others, our “enemies” (fear, illness, conflict) still lurk—yet the oil of honor drips anyway. Overflowing cups aren’t about circumstances but the Host’s relentless pursuit. [01:15:23]

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5, ESV)

Reflection: Where do you feel surrounded yet unseen? How might His anointing redefine your identity from “besieged” to “beloved guest”?

Day 5: Shadows Flee When Faces Turn

The pastor’s mom learned shadows vanish when facing the Light. Valleys aren’t destinations but passageways where His rod (discipline) and staff (rescue) prove closer than our panic. Like a child’s deodorant-sprayed ghosts, darkness dissolves in His beam. [01:12:34]

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4, ESV)

Reflection: What “shadow” has your gaze? What step can you take today to turn your face toward the Light’s warmth?

Sermon Summary

Psalm 22 opens with the cry, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” David does not deny God, quit believing in God, or act like God is absent. David still says, “my God,” and that matters. The pain does not destroy his faith. It drives his pain straight toward God.

Jesus takes that same cry on the cross, and that means the Son of God knows the deepest kind of human anguish. The feeling of being abandoned is not sin by itself. The question is not whether God’s people ever feel forsaken, because all kinds of faithful people in Scripture did. The real question is what a forsaken heart does next.

First Corinthians 10:13 speaks about temptation, not every hardship in life. Scripture gives plenty of examples of God’s people receiving more than they could handle. Moses felt inadequate, Elijah wanted to die, Job was crushed, Paul despaired even of life, and Jesus sweat drops of blood in Gethsemane. God often allows more than people can handle so they discover that He can handle what they cannot.

Psalm 23 answers the forsaken heart with a Shepherd. David does not get every answer to every question, but David does receive the reassurance of God’s unwavering character. “The Lord is my shepherd” means God protects, provides, guides, watches, and rescues. Sheep are helpless, they wander, they get stuck, and if the shepherd does not roll them back over, they die right there.

The Shepherd is Jehovah Rohi, the personal Shepherd. He is Jehovah Shalom, the peace that is more than the absence of conflict. He is Jehovah Rapha, the healer who restores the soul, not just the body. He is Jehovah Shammah, the God who is there in the valley.

The valley of the shadow of death is not a campsite. David says he walks through it. Shadows only rule when backs are turned to the light, and the answer is to turn toward Christ, the light. The closer the danger, the closer God shows Himself to be.

The Shepherd also becomes the King who prepares a table in the presence of enemies. The enemies may still be there, but the table is prepared anyway. God anoints the head, overflows the cup, and treats His people as honored guests in His presence. Goodness and faithful love do not merely follow at a distance. They chase after God’s people all the days of life, until the house of the Lord becomes home forever.

Key Takeaways

1. God handles what people cannot God does give more than human strength can carry, but never more than His own strength can bear. That truth removes the guilt that often comes when suffering exposes weakness. Human limits are not failure, they are the place where surrender becomes wisdom instead of pride. [52:33]
2. Forsaken feelings can keep faith David’s cry of abandonment still begins with “my God,” and that little word keeps faith alive inside pain. Feelings of darkness do not always tell the truth about God’s nearness. Faith is often seen not in bright emotions, but in steady obedience when the soul feels no light. [58:18]
3. Peace is God’s abiding presence Psalm 23 does not describe a life where no enemies, fears, or irritations exist. It describes a Shepherd who creates rest in the middle of real trouble. Peace is not empty quiet, but the constant presence of God holding the soul together. [67:16]
4. The valley is not home David does not camp in the valley, he walks through it. Shadows feel powerful, but they lose their terror when the light is faced instead of avoided. The valley may be dark, but it is temporary, and God is present there. [71:23]
5. Goodness chases former fugitives David once knew what it meant to have enemies chasing him, but Psalm 23 says goodness and faithful love now pursue him. God’s mercy is not passive or reluctant. It vigorously runs after His people until eternal fellowship becomes their final security. [77:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[50:21] - Does God Give Too Much?
[51:16] - Temptation Is Not Suffering
[52:33] - God Handles What People Cannot
[54:55] - Psalm 22 and Psalm 23
[55:59] - Everyone Feels Forsaken Sometimes
[58:18] - Feelings Are Not Always Reality
[62:06] - The Shepherd Answers the Heart
[63:20] - Jehovah Rohi, My Shepherd
[65:47] - Jehovah Shalom, The Lord Is Peace
[67:48] - Jehovah Rapha, The Lord Who Heals
[70:06] - Jehovah Shammah, God Is There
[74:04] - Jehovah Sabaoth Prepares The Table
[76:46] - Jehovah Nissi, The Banner Of Victory
[79:25] - Surrendering Burdens At The Altar

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading
Psalm 22:1-2 (ESV)
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

Psalm 23 (ESV)
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Observation Questions

In Psalm 22:1, David begins with a cry of abandonment but still calls God “my God.” What does this reveal about his relationship with God even in suffering?
Psalm 23 shifts from talking about God (“He leads me…”) to talking to God (“You are with me”) in verse 4. Why might this change in language matter?
The sermon mentions biblical figures like Moses, Elijah, and Paul who faced overwhelming trials. What do their stories have in common with David’s cry in Psalm 22? [52:14]
How does Psalm 23 describe the Shepherd’s role in contrast to the helplessness of sheep?

Interpretation Questions

Why does David still address God as “my God” in Psalm 22:1 even while feeling forsaken? How does this shape our understanding of faith during pain?
The sermon says, “Shadows only rule when backs are turned to the light.” What does this metaphor reveal about navigating fear or despair? [13:29]
Psalm 23:5 says God prepares a table “in the presence of my enemies.” How does this imagery challenge our expectations of God’s protection in difficult circumstances?
The phrase “goodness and mercy shall follow me” (Psalm 23:6) is translated as “pursue” in some versions. How does this active pursuit redefine God’s faithfulness?

Application Questions

When have you felt like crying, “Why have you forsaken me?” How did you express that pain to God, and what helped you hold onto “my God” in those moments?
The sermon emphasizes that “the valley is not home” but a temporary path. What practical step could you take this week to “walk toward the light” instead of fixating on the shadows of a current struggle? [11:23]
Sheep are helpless without a shepherd. Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength instead of surrendering to God’s care? How might humility in this area bring peace?
The phrase “goodness and mercy shall pursue me” suggests God’s love is relentless. How could viewing your hardships through this lens change your perspective on God’s presence?
Share a time when God “prepared a table” for you in a situation where enemies (fear, loss, conflict) were still present. How did His provision surprise you?
The sermon says, “Human limits are not failure—they are where surrender becomes wisdom.” What burden do you need to lay at the altar today instead of carrying alone? [21:55]

Sermon Clips

61s

#GodIsWithUsAlways

“He is present. God is with us. It says, even when I go through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no no danger for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Jehovah Shammah translates the Lord is there. For Christians, it represents the comforting assurance that God is intimately present in every circumstance. Through Jesus, this old testament concept finds this ultimate fulfillment, offering believers the permanent and dwelling of the holy spirit that we will never be abandoned. You go back and look at verses one through three, it speaks. David speaks about God. He says, he, green pastures, still waters, he, valley, In verse four, he begins to speak to God. The language changes. Why? Because suffering, listen to me, suffering if we trust him creates intimacy with God.”

60s

#FaithfulLovePursues

“Jehovah Nissi translates to the Lord, the Lord is my banner. For Christians, it symbolizes God's protection, victory and presence. It represents rallying under God's leadership and trusting him to fight life's spiritual and physical battles. In ancient times, a banner or standard was raised as a rallying point for troops in battle, as a symbol of victory over the conquered territory. If he is our banner and he has already spread that banner, and guess what he is saying? The victory is already what? The word for pursue is it has strong implications. It literally means to vigorously chase after. And then what does he say here? He says, your faithful love will pursue me. In other words, chase after me. In this context, David once had enemies chasing him. Now he says that God's goodness is chasing him.”

47s

#ItsOkToAskWhy

“So what do we see about this? How do we apply this? If the son of God experiences feelings, Christians should never feel guilty for struggling in the same manner. It is okay to ask why. I know some of you today you are going, I just don't know about it. Yes. It is okay to ask why. It happens all through scripture. Go back to Habakkuk. He asked why do those who who turn away from God prosper and those who follow him don't. Yet we see that all through scripture. Jeremiah did the same thing. The question is not have I ever felt forsaken? Because all of us have felt forsaken. The question is, what must I do when I feel forsaken?”

56s

#GodFightsWithYou

“It is Jehovah Sabbath is often translated the Lord of hosts, the Lord of armies. It means that God is the supreme, all powerful commander of all heavenly and earthly forces. For Christians, it represents his absolute sovereignty in acts and as a reminder that he is the ultimate defender and protector in every spiritual and physical battle. It's mentioned over 270 times in scripture. will battle for us. The imagery shifts from the shepherd to the king. God is now pictured as a royal host welcoming his honored guest. Notice that the enemies are still there. Yeah. What does he say? I prepare a table before thy enemies. The enemies are still there. The table is prepared. Anyway, God does not always remove the enemy, but God will walk with you no matter what you're going through.”

61s

#TrustTheShepherd

“Trust him. Trust him. Some of you are down. You are depressed. You are going through situations. You you're like, man, what am I gonna do? Where am I gonna turn? Turn to him. standing here and telling you, you can trust him. We've been doing this thirty six years from the first time Deb went to the hospital when Cara was born, premature, all those kind of things. We've been doing I'm telling you there's not been a moment in all those years that God has not carried us. He's not been with us and he will be with you. We get upset sometimes because we go through difficult times, but we need to stop and understand. Maybe God's trying to get our attention so that we understand he is our shepherd. He is the one that when we roll over on our back and we create situations that could at least destroy us, only he can roll us back over.”

50s

#LetGodCarryIt

“It means that God is literally saying, I will meet you where you are. I will love you if you'll let me. If you choose to carry your burden, that's on you. But if you will give it up, I will carry you and your burden. That's what God does. That's what he does. That's how he does it. What if God doesn't give me what I want? Then here's what I can promise you, God will give you what you need. But you know what he also does? Look around you. He gives you a community to do this with you, to love you, to walk with you, to be with you. I love you as a church. You all have been so good to us. Thank you for that.”

36s

#SurrenderIsWisdom

“I'm gonna ask you this morning to come to this altar because I know some of you are carrying burdens. Well, if I come, then someone will think that I have a burden. Come on. Let's be honest here. How many of us have had burdens in our life? Raise your hand up. Let's make a How many of us have burdens this week? Come on. Raise your hand up. There you go. You're you're not alone. I think sometimes we let pride get in the way of our healing, our spiritual healing because we don't want to admit. We think that is weakness. That is not weakness. It is not weakness for me to surrender to God what I cannot do. It is wisdom.”

51s

#WeNeedTheShepherd

“Is the sheep's survival entirely dependent upon the shepherd? You may not know this, but sheep are notoriously helpless. They wander places. They become stuck. They panic. They need constant care. Does any of this sound familiar? This is who we are. David is confessing, I am not sufficient, but my shepherd is. Philip Keller, was a shepherd himself, wrote that shepherds frequently roll that sheep frequently roll on their backs and they cannot get up. If the shepherd does not rescue them, they will eventually die on their back.”

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Hyland Heights Baptist Church This sermon · AI assistant

Does God give us more than we can handle?

What does Jehovah Rohi signify for believers?

How should Christians respond to feelings of abandonment?