GOD CARES
Central Though: God cares for His creation but those who love Him are the apple of His eyes.
Text: Isaiah 49:14-21, 57:14-21
One important feature of maturity is recognition that in life, problems and challenges are inevitable. Children and “childish adults” fear to encounter problems. Difficulties are part of life! This is not intended to mean that difficulties are blessings in themselves, but rather that encountering problems is normal in life.
Problems (puzzles, difficulties, etc.) receive different kinds of attention from different people. Some people see every problem as a hindrance; others see problems as questions set for a solution. One’s perspective of a situation determines his reaction to it. However, there are times when problems seem to overweigh an individual or a people. At this point, the care and attention or help of a neighbor, a friend, a brother or anyone who cares would be appreciated.
God is not only the Creator, He is the closest friend one can ever have. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Though he may not be physically visible, He can be felt, and His hands move for our sakes. His care for man is not limited to times of overwhelming trouble but all the time. He is interested in our daily well-being. He is concerned for man’s soul and He is willing always to bear him up in His arms. The scripture has glowing testimonies to the security of those who trust in God. Surely, He will save us from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover us with His feathers . . . because of His care.
God’s Care is not limited to His people but is very special to them. Those who walk in His path have nothing to worry about. Yet He provides for the just and the unjust. Moreover, the sinner (the unjust) has a lot to worry about; someday, His mercies would be withdrawn and the difference would be made between His children and those of darkness (Psalm 91, Matthew 5:45; Isaiah 57:14-21; Romans 5:8).
Questions & Answers
What roles do men play in generating problems?
It should be obvious to everyone that we have a part in creating some of the troubles that cause us anxiety. Some factors that lead to this can be known; most of the time it is not intentional, in fact, many times we create the “real problems” in our attempt to solve “little problems”. Consider the childlessness of father Abraham, that great man of faith. His wife, Sarah, suggested a “simple” and “fast” solution, perhaps faster than God’s. He agreed and Abraham stooped low to Hagar, a maidservant of theirs, in relationship. The result of this manmade effort was the “real problem” (Genesis 16:21, 25:12-18). It was by this plan of solution to their problem that led them to bring forth a life-long problem for their true heir even before the child came forth. We all do similar things at one time or the other, at different scales. Yet God cares still.
Why do we create problems? Sometimes, it is lack of requisite knowledge. This could be viewed as immaturity. One good way to face difficulties is to make an effort to understand the problem if possible. Then make an effort to know God’s position on such issues and the particular one in question. Finally, hang on to God in faith. The key terms are “understanding”, “knowing” and then “believing” (faith). Many tmes irresponsibility, lack of self-control, overindulgence, etc., makes us to create problems.
What are some irresponsible acts that can create problems for us as:
- Parents?
- Children?
- Adults?
Foolishness could also be a reason. Sometimes as though hexed, one may take ugly steps either to ease tension or to avenge oneself of an ill done by another. The resultant problem or confusion is self-caused. Yet God cares!
Moreover, human error, genuine human mistakes could cause one to take a step, speak a word, or even meditate on a harmful action which causes him trouble. Such errors could be in judgment, decision taking, etc.
It can be concluded that problems are not mainly trial; most of the time, we cause them (intentionally or unintentionally). Although problems are common place in life, God has not created them. They are, most of the time, man-made. It is, therefore, very wonderful to know that even though we cause our problems, God still cares for us!
How can we know that God cares?
1. In the Holy Scriptures (John 3:16-18; Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:1-10)
God’s care for the fallen man motivated His plan of salvation. By this act He demonstrated His care for all people on earth, and indeed to all creation. By this act, mortal men become sons of God if they believe despite past moral and spiritual conditions, which separate them from the life of God.
For those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, even greater care is shown to them. Ephesians 1:3-14 reveal first, of all the blessings they have through the Father, then through the Son and the Holy Spirit. Through their union with the exalted Christ, Christians have already been made beneficiaries of every spiritual blessing that belongs to and come from the heavenly realm.
Furthermore, the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ on earth was centered on both physical and spiritual healing of the people (Matthew 4:23, 9:35; Luke 9:6; Acts 10:38). After Him, this ability has been transferred to all people who believe in Him to heal the sick (1 Corinthians 12:8-9,28; Acts 3:16).
In Isaiah 49:14-21, the Lord said that He would not forget His own. As many as believe in Him are His own. He has engraved them on the palm of His hands, that even the safety and prosperity of their descendants are guaranteed. Perhaps, the most profound of all we can learn in scripture and in practice about God’s care is His mercy on the repentant sinner and the fact that the unrepentant sinner would be severely punished.
2. In our daily lives.
It is a common experience to see people thank God for their lives when they see a scene of fatal accident. God’s care is so incomprehensible by mortal man that he should simply imagine His mercies, to reverence and honor Him who gives breath daily. He decides who lives and who dies, yet even at the lowest points of our lives, we have survived. He has, in His infinite wisdom and sovereignty, given to each man certain number of heartbeats and no one fails without accomplishing the number.
Every day, the Lord allows the sun to shine; and the rains come in their season. And when we so miserably miss the mark of righteousness, which sometimes could be deliberate or by mistake, He forgives and delivers us.
Everyone on earth has the subconsciousness that there is One above all somewhere because of His undeniably plenteous provisions and daily protection over His creation. It is for these and more that the best word that describes the atheist is “fool” (Psalm 14:1).
What is the nature of God’s care? 1 Peter 5:7; Psalm 37:1-40, 55:22; Matthew 6:25-34; Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:6-7.
God’s care is complete, dependable and unbiased. Because of His deep mercies, He extends His care to even pagans, but God has a great, elaborate and complete program of safety and protection for His people.
We have seen, in the earlier part of this study, that we create many of our problems. Yet the scriptures tell us in 1 Peter 5:7 and Psalms 55:22 to cast all our anxiety on Him because He cares for us.
All burdens, whether we cause them (consciously or subconsciously) or not, can be cast at this merciful God, and He would resolve them. He heals us even after we cause our illness. He forgives us after we stray. He calls for us even when we are not listening and He is ever there to carry our burdens “for He cares for you.”
Yet another interesting characteristic of God’s care is that it is universal. He cares for His creation. In Matthew 6:26,30, the Lord Jesus Christ taught that our heavenly Father clothes the grass of the field and feeds the birds of the air! No wonder these creatures beauty are unending. One flower fades and dies off, another springs up and blossoms. He is so careful about His creation that He does not stand the sight of His grass or His birds hungry. Even so the Lord Jesus Christ said that we are of more value than these!
In Psalm 37:1-40, it can be seen that God’s care is such that we do not even have to fear evil men. The Lord wants us to be calm, to relax our nerves and be of good cheer (John 16:33) even in the face of very serious ironies. The just cannot be forgotten! See also Hebrews 13:5. When the situation seems so hard, He is there, and when we present our requests to Him in prayer, His peace will fill us and we can continue to be still and watch the Lord fight for us (Exodus 14:5-31; 1 Samuel 12:20-23, 17:45-47; Isaiah 1:18, 26:3-4, 40:28-31).
What is the implication of God’s care? Psalm 130:4
Why does God care so much for His creation? Why does He overlook sin and not keep record of it? God is awesome! He does not keep a record of sins. When He forgives, He does so completely, tearing down any wall between the sinner and Him. Therefore He is feared (revered). The forgiven sinner can pray realizing that God is holding nothing against him.
In the Old Testament times, believers symbolically transferred their sin to an animal, which they then sacrificed. The animal died in their place to pay for their sin and to allow them to continue living in God’s favor. God graciously forgave them because of their faith in Him and because they obeyed His commandment concerning the sacrifice. Those sacrifices anticipated the day when Christ would completely remove sin. Real cleansing from sin came with Jesus Christ, the ‘Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world’ (John 1:29). Sin, by its nature brings death. Jesus Christ did not die for His sin, as He had none. Instead, by a transaction that we may not fully understand, He died for the sin of the world. When anyone commits his life to Christ, and thus identifies with Him, Jesus death becomes his own. He has paid the penalty for our sin, and His blood has purified all those that come to Him. He did all this because He is the ONLY one who can.
God shows mercy because He is merciful (2 Samuel 24:14). God is good. God is infinite in greatness (1 Chronicles 21:13). There is no other source for man, and indeed for all creation. All other gods are thieves and robbers (John 10:8). He is the only true God, the actual owner of the universe, SO HE CARES for it. Thus, anyone who does not fear Him is calling for His wrath! (Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:15).
God is to be honored and all creation should tremble in reverence before Him. He said ‘by Myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity, a word that will not be revoked; before Me every knee will bow; by Me every tongue will swear’, Isaiah 45:23.
Daily Living Application
We live in a fallen world where good is not always rewarded, and bad not always punished. Sometimes innocent people suffer. If God took suffering away whenever we asked we would follow Him for comfort and convenience, not out of love, fear and devotion. Regardless of our suffering, Jesus Christ has the power to help us deal with it. Ask God to give you strength for the situation before you and a clearer perspective on what is happening (John 9:1-12).
Memory Verse:
1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”