Wednesday: The Compassionate Care of our Heavenly Father
It is important to know that we are cared for. Even though some people may be indifferent and neglectful toward us, Jesus taught that our heavenly Father cares for us in every possible way. His mercy and tenderness are not subject to the ups and downs so common in human temperaments; His love is steadfast and unchanging, regardless of the circumstances.
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Read Matthew 6:25-34. What encouraging words are found here? How can we learn to better trust in God, as He is revealed in these verses?
There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Psalm 147:3. The relations between God and each soul are as distinct and full as though there were not another soul upon the earth to share His watchcare, not another soul for whom He gave His beloved Son. — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 100.
Amid all the encouraging words here, we cannot ignore the fact that tragedy and suffering do strike us. Even in the texts for today, Jesus spoke of how sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matt. 6:34), implying that not everything is going to go well for us. We do have to live with evil and its doleful consequences. The point is, even amid all that, we are assured of the Father’s love for us, a love revealed to us in so many ways, most of all, by the Cross. How crucial, then, that we constantly keep the gifts and blessings of our heavenly Father before us; otherwise, we can easily become discouraged when evil strikes, which it inevitably does.
In what ways, during a time of crisis, were you able to see the reality of God’s love for you? What did you learn from that experience that you can share with someone else who might be struggling and, amid those struggles, questioning the reality of God’s love?
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God has always loved us regardless of how we treat Him in our daily living,but He still loves us anyway,we have to remember that and start showing that love to our dear friends that God is love.
Amen to all comments. What I would like to say is that God truly shows his love for us everyday. And we don't even say Thank You for all of our Blessing. We have to think what kind of people are we.
I belive God is the provider no need to worrie about everything juss surrender all to the Lord.Prayer is the dangerous weapon we can use in any situation. eg troubles ,clothes & stress Psalm 23
God is love. Because of His love we can face each day with confidence knowing there is someone who cares for us unconditionally. Our burden for each day should be to do His will and let Him take charge of our life. All providence comes from Him by unwavering faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
My first thought was I never question God's love for me. But then I remembered during my mom's illness and death I felt so alone, I worried about how the hospital bills were going to be paid. I was able to clear all expenses after her death. I remembered thinking God loves you he would see you through and he did. Now when I am anxious I remember God loves me he will see me through any storm if I just let him.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should never perish but have everlasting life. With this key verse in mind, what else God would not do or provide for us in our hardships along the life journey in this sinfull world. God bless us all in Him!
The hardest test of our faith in God's care took place when our 19-year-old daughter was killed in a car accident in the city of Redlands, California; and when our son died unexpectedly of a stroke. Yet the Lord sustained us in spite of our painful loss. For this, we praise him. Soon, our sorrow will turn into joy on resurrection day.
One year ago this last April my dad past away from congestive heart failure; he struggled with the disease for 10 years or so before it finally took his life. If not for my faith in God I think I would have found his passing harder to deal with. His last week on earth was spent with family, he knew he was dying and was completely ok with it. I believe it was our belief and faith that helped us get through it. In the last hours of his life my family and I sang his favorite hymnals and prayed over him, and although he was not awake, I believe he could hear us. It was so beautiful, I can’t explain it, we could feel God in the room with us, I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Yes it was hard when he took his last breath, and we are still struggling with our loss, but knowing that I have a loving God has made it easier to get through.
I wonder if we really know what it means that God answers all our prayers & requests. For this other writer says he saw God's love in è death of 2 chn, one dying in an accident & è other dying of illness. Thanks buddy for having spiritual eyes for most people dont see God's answer in è death of a loved one. They only see it when He answers in the way they wanted.
Jesus came to reveal the character of God. We are required to obediently respond to God's unfailing love. The more we see God as our father, the greater the intimacy. However, sometimes the experience may go soar, but we have a father who cares even in times of trouble.
Like the previous writers whom have experience God's love through the lost of love ones, I too have experience God's love for my family and I through the lost of, more recently, my eldest sister last year. We have also lost My father, and two brothers, many years ago. During these difficult times, I believe that's when God's love was felt more. He provided the antidote for handling the pain each time we experience the lost of our love ones. I am thankful for the close relationship I have with God, and I am reminded each day of my life of how much he loves me and my family, with each new day of life.
[Surname Please?]
Donna, the one thing I’ve noticed (and this may just be me), is when a person has faith or God in their life, their own passing away seems so much different. I truly believe that my dad was at peace, and was not afraid to die because of his love for Christ. When he went to sleep, it was very peaceful, no drum roll, no shouting, just peace. I personally don’t think it’s always like that for a person that has no faith. Every now and then tears comes back to me, I sometimes have a hard time still, but I try and think about the struggle he had to deal with every day. He has no more pain, and now doesn’t have to deal with the sin of this world. He will not experience the hardships that some will experience as we get closer to the coming of Jesus.
This lesson is very encouraging.
May we follow God's grace so that we cease to be a lesson oriented people,meaning after our lesson study lets retrieve the mission of the lesson. Thus we become mission oriented and therefore the lesson will be part of our lives.
I experienced loss of love ones,health burdens and heartbreaks but thanks to Jobs greatness of faith that inspires me to draw nearer to our almighty father...faith really keeps me going inspire of those sircumstances.
The fact that GOD restore His Image in us through John 3:16 reveal his matchless and his endless Love.This should kept alive and should be of great significance in our Lives.So long as GOD ensure our destiny then he real cares for us.Hence I finally conclude that GOD'S LOVE is beyond MEASURE.
I never had an intimate relationship with my earthly father. My father died when I was six. The sixth out of eight children, I did not have any special status in my household. Before his death, Father ran a rigorous farming routine in rural Sierra Leone that did not leave room to spend time with his children. When I had my own three children here in the United States, I decided to become a Mr. Mom. Most days after work, I would load the children in my Pathfinder SUV, drive to nearby Washington, DC and hit the National Mall. From the Lincoln Memorial to the Capitol, we would stroll, run and sit on the grass and have pure fun. Although my kids are now grown, they still cherish those days.
Although our heavenly father has billions of kids, He still has time for each of us. He can be tending to a woman struck by Ebola in Sierra Leone and minister to a troubled teen in Los Angeles at the same time. God can be busy ensuring that planets do not collide and cause a calamity while tending to a sick child in Mumbai. God does not only love us, he has a genuine interest in our daily affairs, from the mundane like losing a car key to the complex like curing us from cancer. There is no one else out there that can give us this kind of attention. That is why I love Him. I know that whatever happens in my life, God is in control, and He will see me through.