Today's Devotional is written by Pastor Roy Summers
Who really Cares?
Coronavirus has raised the issue of hidden disabilities. Someone with such disabilities may wear a green sunflower lanyard to indicate the reason they are unable to wear a mask in a store or covered area.
An infirmity once hidden from the world is now known, and sympathy not previously able to be shown can now be given.
The truth of the matter is that we could all wear a sunflower lanyard for we all have ailments of the body or the mind which are hidden from view. An experience of the past which repeatedly returns to haunt. A weakness which creeps upon us unawares, a sorrow known to none, which we carry alone.
Who cares about these hidden - and sometimes seemingly small - details of our lives?
When Jesus sent out the Twelve disciples to preach, have authority over evil spirits and to heal he gave them a prep talk for this work. And among the things he prepared them for was a world that would be indifferent not only to their message but also to the messenger.
Said Jesus,
"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." (Matthew 10:29-31)
The world may not care about you, but your Father in heaven does. He cares not only for each sparrow valued so little in the marketplace, he cares for us, who are worth far more than sparrows. God our Father even knows how many hairs are on our heads!
The most tender loving mother in the world does not count or know the number of hairs on her child's head!
But it is God the Father's way of saying, "I care about every small detail of your life."
This tender care gave comfort to the disiples in a cold and indifferent world and it should bring us comfort - God's care for us extends to the smallest details of our lives.
Who is Quirinius?
We see the Father's care demonstrated towards Jesus in Luke chapter 2:
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entrie Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register."
This small historical detail, the name of the governor at the time of the Roman census which drove Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, demonstrates how God the Father cared for his only begotten Son. And this is the same care the Father exercises towards his adopted children, you and I.
Summing it All Up
The knowledge that God the Father cares about every detail of our lives should bring us comfort today. And if we really believe this truth we should take every small detail of our lives to God in prayer.
I once mentioned in a sermon a Christian lady who would pray for a parking space in town when she went shopping. And I said that I wasn't sure we should do that, for it was such a small detail of our lives. A good brother emailed to rebuke me: if God cares about far lesser facts about our lives, such as how many hairs on our head, he cares about a place to park! He was right, I was wrong.
Let us learn to bring everything to God in prayer.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
Our hymn for the day encourages us bring 'eveything to God in prayer.'
What a friend we
have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and
temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and
heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Joseph Scriven
You can sing along, HERE.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our loving Father in heaven,
We thank you for your daily care for us. Just as a parent cares for their child, not only in the today but into the future, so you care for us your precious children.
Teach us to bring everything to you in prayer. Forgive us for thinking some things are too small or too unimportant for you to care about.
We thank you for your Son, for it was through his great sorrows, that we became children of God.
Thank you for your Fatherly concern for all your children.
Amen.
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