Father of all concern

“Can a woman forget her child at the breast, not show pity on the child from her womb? Even if these were to forget, I would not forget you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands, your walls are always before me.” Isaiah 49:15-16‬ ‭CJB‬‬

This morning my alarm clock went off at around 6:30. I lay in bed and considered, “well, today is Saturday, I don’t have to get up early.” I reached out, hit the button and attempted to fall back to sleep. No success. I lay there awake, fully rested to boot. Ten minutes later, the alarm clock went off again, and I felt Holy Spirit nudging me saying, “Get up, go for a walk.” For those who know me, exercise has not my strong suit but lately, the Lord has been giving me an excitement to go walking, and the stamina to do so. Go figure.

I got dressed and through the door I went. As I walked, I began pouring my heart to my Abba. I told Him how grateful I was for another day, another year even, how blessed I feel having His love so palpable in my heart, how thankful I was for the attention He has been giving me. As I walked, my prayers contained a certain contentment. I found myself relinquishing anxiety, stress, and frustration and welcoming surrender and His peace. I also found myself discovering new places in my neighborhood, hearing a rooster crow (yes…a rooster, or was it a hen🙄) and just relishing the cool breeze of pre-autumn. It was such a delight to be alone with my Dad.

During the final lap of our walk, I saw what appeared to be a dead frog splattered on the side walk. How it got there, I do not know but Holy Spirit began ministering to me there, reminding me that He knew this frog’s journey would have ended and even more significantly, He knows all about my journey.

Suffice to say, I ended up sprinting all the way home as He began downloading to me how much the Father is concerned about all He has created; even the frogs; but especially us, humans created in the Father’s image. I also found myself laughing and filled with such glee. Once more, Abba had caught my attention. This stimulated my legs to move in such a fast pace, I ended up “burning a sweat” (don’t know if that’s the expression) and I felt my heart rate increasing. Talk about a Father who is also an exercise trainer too😅.

Does Jesus Care

The scripture is replete with examples of God’s concern for us. We see from the onset of time, the way He fashioned man in the Garden of Eden and noticed that man was alone and needed a wife. We see how He took the time to talk with man in the cool of the day. When man sinned, our Father made provision to take care of man’s needs – physical, spiritual and otherwise.

“He who did not spare even his own Son, but gave him up on behalf of us all — is it possible that, having given us his Son, he would not give us everything else too?” Romans 8:32,CJB

His greatest example of concern for us was the sending of His Son who took our place on that rugged cross.

I should have been laying on that tree. My sins have been so many and so great. But in His expression of love, centuries before I even came on the scene, He made a way for my pardon. A way so that you and I, could be made free to worship and have access to Him. He’s also given us Holy Spirit. What a treasure He is. Holy Spirit inspires us, reminds us, teaches us, confronts and comforts us, and so much more.

Our Father, friend, is truly concerned about us and that is a promise that we can be sure will be true even to the very end. As we journey through life, challenges and situations will arise that make us doubt whether He does care and is concerned. I assure you, He cares. One song writer asks the question:

“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?“

The author goes back and answers:

“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, He cares.“

We may be waiting for Him to show up in different areas. For me, I still await the mortgage to be paid (we’re into the next month now) but I find that He has given me such peace as I wait. In fact, He’s even distracted my mind with His love for me that I’m not even sitting down wondering and biting my proverbial nails as I have done in recent months.

What about you? Are you waiting on Him to come through in tangible and possible inexpressible ways? Keep waiting. Keeping seeking. Keep trusting. During this process, you will see He comes through in a way, that blows your mind.

Father,

Thank You today for being a God who cares. Thank You for showing us through scripture that Your care for us was so great, it pained Your heart to be separated from us. So much so, that Jesus came and died in our place. Thank You for Your gift of life, Your gift of joy, Your gift of love. Help us to trust Your plans, to obey Your commands, to follow Your leading. We honor and give You thanks in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Until next time remember, His Promises are our Guarantee…🙌🏽