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Friday, November 4, 2005

"Yes, He Cares!"

Photo of autumn foliage
Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above.
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love!

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God?'" (Isaiah 40:27).

Suzanne* has had a series of tough turns in life the last several years. Her husband died after a lengthy illness. Two of her children are living in rebellion, showing no interest in the things of God. Now she's taking care of two of her grandchildren and at 58 this is quite a load. She also struggles to manage financially.

She expressed, "I just don't think God cares about me anymore."  We've probably all met people with this degree of spiritual discouragement and some of us have been there. And I am sure some of you may be feeling this way today.

The daily text expresses an ancient complaint and yet one that is surely heard by God millions of times every day.  O sure, the wording may be different, but the basic complaint remains the same.  To the bitter it may be, "God doesn't care, He's forgotten all about me." To the believer enduring trials it might be the heartfelt inquiry, "Does God still care?"  Has He forgotten?"  Has my cause been disregarded?"

The Scripture abundantly provides an answer to this complaint in the verses that follow. Hear the word of the Lord and be encouraged: "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.  He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak" (Isaiah 40:28,29). 

Yes God cares! Today He cares about you. Whatever you're going through or whatever you will go through, God does care and can be absolutely depended upon! He will see you through. He is steadfastly faithful!

O yes He cares; I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's Prayer – Jesus, I consider the multitude of hymns based upon Your Holy Word   reminding me that You are present in the midst of my personal tumult.  Edward Mote describes Your being hidden from view when he writes, "When darkness hides His lovely face, I rest on His unchanging grace."  Sometimes the darkness of our ongoing struggles cast a shadow over the Almighty God who works on our behalf even when He seems to be hidden from our sight.  I know, in my heart of hearts, that You don't disregard my need, so I will trust You as I call upon Your name in prayer.   I am confident that You hear my plea. I have assurance that You will strengthen me in my weariness and empower me in my weakness. So I'll continue to look to You for all my needs this day.  In Your name, Jesus, I commit those things that concern me.  Amen.


Note from Brooksyne - We heard from many readers yesterday who expressed support and prayer for our present struggle.  Others shared their own personal needs which, in some cases, make our present dilemma seem small in comparison.  Thank you so much for your prayers.  I have a personal testimony to share:  I was praying yesterday morning and gave an impassioned request to God.  I asked Him to give me wisdom concerning a serious medical problem Mom was having (in addition to the Shingles) or give Stephen and me the go-ahead to take her to the ER by afternoon where she would most likely be admitted.  I also asked specifically for encouragement for the task of caring for her throughout the day.  Within ten minutes the telephone rang and a friend offered prayer over the phone which greatly encouraged me.  Then she mentioned something in passing about her mother's situation that supplied an answer to the second request I had made to the Lord.  I followed through with giving Mom a med that began to work within hours.  She responded and is starting to be a little stronger and her mental state is getting a little better as well.  I give thanks to our faithful God who really does meet us in our hour of need.  It was a tough day with Mom's needs but then God answered my third request in supplying me with the strength I needed!


* Not her real name to protect the identity of the people Brooksyne and I have ministered to.


"Does Jesus Care" Graeff, Frank E. / Hall, J. Lincoln © Public Domain CCLI License No. 2005306 Here's an instrumental audio version of this song.

 

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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission; and the King James Version.

Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and I make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and to prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."

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