Creator, Father, King #179

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

AS HE SAT WALLOWING in ashes, scraping his festering sores with pottery shards, Job wrestled with God. When Hannah suffered through a long bout of childlessness, she tearfully cried out to God. When Assyrian soldiers were encroaching upon Jerusalem like ants on a sticky summer picnic basket, Hezekiah rushed to the Temple and prayed to God for deliverance.

The book of Psalms is filled with prayers to God for help and deliverance from trials and tribulations. Even the Lord Jesus, as he was experiencing inexplicable grief shortly before his arrest, lifted his voice to the Father in Gethsemane. There are countless other biblical examples of people bringing their troubles and heart’s desires to God in prayer.

In yesterday’s devotion, we discussed how God is not like a subservient genie in a magic lamp, who exists merely to grant our wishes. Thankfully, there’s a vast difference between that and who God really is.

What’s It Mean?

God is a caring, sovereign heavenly Father who has showered you with indescribable love. He sacrificed his own Son so you, a lost sinner, could be reconciled to himself and live in his glorious presence for all eternity.

But in this life, you will experience many hardships. God wants you to bring those to him in prayer. As today’s verse says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” Similarly, David writes in Psalm 34:4-5, “I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”

This is amazing! Not only do we have a God who rules the universe, but he also desires to hear about and answer our troubles in prayer. Your Father loves you beyond description. Cry out to him during your times of need. He cares, and he is powerful to save.

Now What?

What are you worried about now? Pause and bring it to God in prayer!

Did You Know?

Praying about your troubles won’t make them magically disappear, but prayer builds faith, provides peace, and progresses sanctification (becoming more like Christ).