Does Jesus Care?

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7

Frank E. Graeff was known as the sunshine minister. Mr. Graeff went through some severe testing in his life. While experiencing severe despondency, doubt and physical agony Mr. Graeff wrote the hymn, Does Jesus Care.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth and song- As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark With a nameless dread and fear? As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed To resist some temptation strong? When for my deep grief I find no relief, Tho my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I've said good-bye To the dearest on earth to me, And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks- Is it aught to Him? does He see?

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.

Difficult times cause us to wonder if God really cares about us. When you cried out to God did it seem that the answer would never come? You are not alone. Israel’s King David sometimes wondered where God was:

Why do You stand afar off, O L ORD ? Why do You hide in times of trouble? Psa. 10:1 How long, O L ORD ? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart daily? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Psa. 13:1-2

Even The Disciples Cried Out "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" (Mk. 4:38) 39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?

The psalmist Understood That God Cared, "O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I rise up...You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways...Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast" (Psalm 139:1-3, 7-10).

A young medical student named Jim developed a life- threatening cancer. In writing to a friend he said, “I want to believe in a God who cares….because I may meet him sooner than I had expected. I think I am at the point where I can accept the existence of God….but I can’t yet believe God cares about me.” Our world is filled with tragedies and disappointments of every kind and these things beat against our hopes and dreams and we cry aloud, Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” The Christian faith declares that God does care for each one of us. So how do we come to the point where we sincerely believe that the Lord really cares about us individually and personally?

This will lead to two things:

Realize that we are physical beings Leads us to realize the wonder and majesty of the universe and the greatness of our Creator. Are subject to the physical laws and are vulnerable to injury, illness, decay and death.

We are also spiritual beings and can commune with our Creator and grasp the greatness, the mystery and the goodness of God. For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Job 19:25-26 I Cor. 15:50 2 Cor. 5:1

Job had lost everything And yet he was raised by God’s Spirit to the conviction that regardless of what happened to him, he belonged to God, and God would bring him into the divine presence in glory.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:6-7

When sorrow strikes we can do as many often do: “We can” Drown our sorrows in alcohol Chain-smoke to “calm our nerves” Head to the refrigerator for “comfort food”

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). Allow yourself to be humbled, accepting your lot and circumstances either sent by or allowed by the omnipotent, sovereign God Who loves you and desires your best and His glory through you. God’s Will is divided into three parts: Intentional Story of Creation Circumstantial or Permissive Rom. 6:16 Ultimate Heb.2:10 2 Thess. 1:7-9 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. I Peter 4:19 If we commit our souls to God what will take place?

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:11-13 Paul and God’s grace

Commit your way to the L ORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. Psa. 37:5

The pressures of our concerns can cause us to so focus on worldly matters that we forget to take our needs and our worries to the Lord. But by linking our concerns to God, believers are freed from anxiety and worry because they know the Lord cares. This freedom allows us to concentrate on seeking God's kingdom and his righteousness Matt. 6:33

If your body suffers pain And your health you can't regain, And your soul is almost sinking in despair; Jesus knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your youthful days are gone And old age is stealing on, And your body bends beneath the weight of care; He will never leave you then, He'll go with you to the end; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there; If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out; Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. Charles Tindley