SOMEBODY CARES

1 Peter 5:7, “He cares for you.”

Life is filled with troubles of various kinds.  Personal sins, past regrets, future fears, and other matters work to steal away our peace and joy.  And sometimes we think—“This is hard, does anybody care?”  It’s good to have someone who cares.  I’m so thankful for a loving wife and family and friends who care about me.  They are a true blessing from God.  But above all else I’m thankful for Jesus.

The fact that He cares for me is an amazing thing in itself.  I am so undeserving.  Yet He “loved Me and delivered Himself up for me” (Galatians 2:20).  He knows all about me—my sin failures, mistakes, inadequacies, immaturity, etc.-- yet He has loved me and loves me still.  His loving concern is beyond measure and my capacity to comprehend (Ephesians 3:19).  He cares.

He knows what I’m going through—He “knows all about my struggles.”  No matter the temptation or trial Jesus is able to sympathize with my weakness.  There is nothing in this life that I will confront that He didn’t triumph over (Hebrews 4:15).  He is intimately aware of the struggles that I am facing.  And able to intervene on my behalf.  He cares. 

Jesus is the best friend any of us will ever have.  He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  He stands by us when no one else can or will (2 Timothy 4:16-17).  He is at work in our lives to complete the work that He started in us (Philippians 1:6).  He can even cause my troubles and trials to work together to accomplish His perfect plan for Me (Romans 8:28).  One day by His power he will transform  the body of my humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (Philippians 3:21).  He cares.

1 Peter 5:7 exhorts us to bring our cares to Him.  What an invitation!  We bring our requests, not to a reluctant and overburdened stranger, but to a loving and powerful friend.  He has proven that He cares inasmuch as He died for you and me.  You’ve got some concerns this very day.  He’s extended an open invitation to you.  “Bring them to Me,” He says, “Let me deal with them.  I care!”

Pastor Jerry