Devotions this week based on the Message: “BELIEVE: Week 2: God is Personal God!”
(NOTE: This sermon series and devotional series is based on a book by Randy Frazee entitled, “BELIEVE.”
You may choose to download or purchase the book as a supplement to your worship and devotional emails.)
“You don’t care about me!”
I think every parent who has earned their badge as parent has heard their child say this at least at one point in their life. Usually this phrase comes out when a child is sent to bed early as discipline, car keys are taken away from a teenager, or a middle school daughter isn’t allowed to go out on a date with a boy you don’t even know.
Their perception? You as a parent don’t care about them.
Translation… “You didn’t give me what I wanted and therefore I conclude you don’t care about me.”
Which is exactly the opposite, right?
You care enough to discipline.
You care enough to keep your teenager safe.
You care enough to know who is hanging out with your kids.
You care because you love your kids more than they will ever know.
You care even when your kids don’t think you do. Because that’s what loving parents do for their kids.
The same is true for our loving God.
He cares about us, even when we don’t think he does.
We can be like the child who THINKS God doesn’t care because we don’t get what we want from God, but in reality God’s perspective is giving us what we need and showing us that he cares.
I get that sometimes it feels like God doesn’t care. When we feel all alone. When we fear the future because the present is changing. When we are hurting and it seems like those that should care don’t.
God does care about you, even when you don’t think he does.
How do I know? Consider these promises:
God says, “Give your worries and cares to me. Don’t try to carry them on your own.”
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
God says, “I will never abandon you. I am always there, even if it feels like I am not.”
Romans 8:38-39 I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God says, “I care about you enough to give you always what is best for you.”
James 1:16-17 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters, Every good and perfect fit is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shift shadows.
There will be a next time it feels like God doesn’t care. But in the moment remember, God cares for you, even when you don’t think he does!
Apply: When have you felt like God didn’t care? As you look back, how did you realize God cared for you in that moment?
Prayer: Dear God, thank you for forgiving me when I question your care for me. Thank you for your love that always cares, even when I don’t think you are or realize you are. AMEN.