#DailyDevotion Does God Really Care For Us?
Mark 4:38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
The disciples didn’t know what to think about Jesus sometimes. The boat was being beaten, it was filling up with water and what is Jesus doing? Sleeping in the stern. One thing is for sure, they weren’t thinking he was God or the Lord’s Messiah. They thought they and the Lord Jesus were perishing. If they trusted he was God or at very least the Lord’s Messiah, then they would have known that as God he could easily fix the situation and as the Messiah, the Lord wasn’t going to let anything happen to them with him in the boat.
But the truth of the matter God cared for them and he cares for you. David writes, Psa 8:4-6 ESV “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (5) Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. (6) You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,…” All men have been created in God’s image and likeness and he cares for them. While it is true we have lost our original righteousness, holiness and knowledge by Adam’s transgression, for the sake of Jesus who is the very image of God, God still cares for us, for you.
Jesus tells us, Luk 12:7 ESV “Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Not one sparrow, one creature in all creation dies and the Father doesn’t know about it. He cares so much for you that he knows how many hairs you have on your head and if you’re bald what happened to it all.
We may wonder if God really knows what is going on in our lives. Jesus says, Mat 6:8 ESV “for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” And for this reason he tells us not to be anxious. Our Father knows what we need. Before you open your mouth the Lord has answered your prayers.
Peter who happened to be on the boat at the time has written, 1Pe 5:7 ESV” [cast] all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” God does really care for you. Paul in agreement with Peter writes, Php 4:6-7 ESV “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (7) And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” And Jesus tells us, Mat 6:31-33 ESV “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ (32) For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. (33) But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” So yes, Jesus and the Father care what happening to you and are doing what is best for you in your situation. It may not seem like it. But we live by faith and not by sight.
Heavenly Father, grant us faith to believe you care for us especially in the midst of the trials and tribulations of our life when it seems you are so far away from us or even are opposing us, that we may not be anxious but rest in the peace of your Son Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.