God Cares for You
God Cares For You
Introduction
Sometimes with all that happens in our lives, we need to take some time to remember that God does care for us, and to look at some of the promises He has given us.
We Will Have Troubles in Life
Whether with spiritual problems, or sickness, or relationships with family and friends, or financial, or other, we will have troubles in this life. We often feel that we should be exempt from problems, but that isn't what we've been promised. God promises help to us in handling our troubles, not that we won't have them. In fact, quite the opposite is true, we are warned that we will face trials. Even in teaching his disciples, Jesus was careful to warn them that they would face troubles in their lives.
John 16:33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Sometimes we may even feel like Moses, who at times didn't feel that he could bear all that he faced.
Numbers 11:14-15 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 If you treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in your sight; and don’t let me see my wretchedness.”
God Allows us to face problems, but is in control limiting them
We see in the example of Job, that God did allow Satan to cause problems for Job, but did limit what he allowed Satan to do.
Job 1:9-12 9 Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.” 12 Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power. Only on himself don’t stretch out your hand.”
We also have the example of God's promise to us concerning temptations. That there too, he limits what we face, to what we can handle, even though we know again that Satan is the one doing the tempting.
1 Corinthians 10:13 13 No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
God Helps Us To Keep Our Trials In Perspective
What God has in store for us is so glorious that anything in this life is not worth even comparing. Paul went through persecutions that we have trouble imagining, but was able to say:
Romans 8:18 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.
All to often we get very caught up in what is happening in this life. But in time-wise to, in the scope of eternity, we should realize that we face trials for only a short while.
James 4:14 14 Whereas you don’t know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
God gives us guidance also, in another way, in how to face our trials. For me at least it is thinking that whatever I face will go on and on that gets to me the worse. God tells us to face each day without being anxious for the next.
Matthew 6:34 34 Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
God Can Cause Good to Come from Trials
Even though Satan caused a "thorn in the flesh" for Paul (who called it a messenger from Satan), God was able to use it to help Paul see his dependence on God and his grace.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Trials can help us develop perseverance and maturity, without them we would be weak. The following verse certainly represents a challange to us, in how we should think about the trials and troubles facing us.
James 1:2-3 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
We also have a promise from God that he can cause good to come out of all the things that happen to us.
Romans 8:28 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
We can also see that experiencing God's comfort ourselves will help us in comforting others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
God Watches Over Us and Protects Us
In Psalms we have the promise that He will keep us from all evil forever.
Psalms 121:7-8 7 Yahweh will keep you from all evil. He will keep your soul. 8 Yahweh will keep your going out and your coming in,from this time forward, and forever more.
We need to remember that God will never forsake us. He is always there available to us, ready to help us.
Psalms 9:9-10 9 Yahweh will also be a high tower for the oppressed; a high tower in times of trouble. 10 Those who know your name will put their trust in you, for you, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalms 46:1 1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 37:28 28 For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn’t forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
Psalms 31:23 23 Oh love Yahweh, all you his saints! Yahweh preserves the faithful, and fully recompenses him who behaves arrogantly.
Psalms 116:6 6 Yahweh preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.
And as if God protecting us wasn't enough, he promises that even His angels will guard us. Somehow it seems comforting to know that we have this additional watching.
Psalms 91:9-11 9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, 10 no evil shall happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. 11 For he will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you in all your ways.
Psalms 34:7 7 Yahweh’s angel encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
God Will Strengthen Us
God will give us strength to handle the situations we are in.
2 Chronicles 16:9 9 For Yahweh’s eyes run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. You have done foolishly in this; for from now on you will have wars.”
God guides our way and makes our pathway firm and clear.
Psalms 37:23-24 23 A man’s steps are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way. 24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
He guards us and has the ultimate victory in store for us.
Proverbs 2:7-8 7 He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints.
God Listens to our Prayers
Psalms 34:15 15 Yahweh’s eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry.
He has promised to deliver us from all our troubles, not just some of them.
Psalms 34:17-19 17 The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. 18 Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but Yahweh delivers him out of them all.
Notice that the verse twice reminds us that it is all of our troubles that he is talking about.
Psalms 91:14-15 14 “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name. 15 He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.
Prayer is a Powerful Tool
We sometimes forget what a powerful tool God has given us in prayer. He tells us that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:13-16 13 Is any among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praises. 14 Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, 15 and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
We should have confidence in approaching God in prayer.
1 John 5:14-15 14 This is the boldness which we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us. 15 And if we know that he listens to us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked of him.
We even have a promise of help from the Spirit when we can't even express our prayers. Certainly we feel that way sometimes when troubles strike.
Romans 8:26 26 In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we don’t know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which can’t be uttered.
God Will Give Us Peace
Psalms 23:1-4 Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 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.
Psalms 55:22 22 Cast your burden on Yahweh and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
We can be at peace because we know that God is in control. The same God who created the whole world in seven days, cares about us. We have to realize that he has the power to take care of us.
Philippians 4:6-7 6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus.
And God, great in power, cares for us.
1 Peter 5:7 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.
Isaiah 26:3 3 You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
God Will Give Us All Good Things
He has promised to withhold no good thing from us.
Psalms 84:11 11 For Yahweh God is a sun and a shield. Yahweh will give grace and glory. He withholds no good thing from those who walk blamelessly.
He fulfills our desires.
Psalms 145:19-20 19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them. 20 Yahweh preserves all those who love him, but he will destroy all the wicked.
He is able to do more than we ask or even imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
We need to trust in him, that he does know what is best. We think we know what is good, but we need to trust in God, that he knows best.
Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Conclusion
Many of God's blessings are to all people (Matt 5:45 tells us he sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous). Notice, though, how many of these promises are to those who faithfully follow God ("those who love him", "the faithful", "those who fear him", "the just", "the upright", etc). We can see from these promises that, God takes special care of us, His Children. This should encourage us to trust in God more and help us to have patience in going through our problems.