He Cares For Me

“So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:31

Sometimes, we go through a sudden and deep sense of hopelessness and helplessness. We are so much discouraged and overwhelmed by the things that happen around us and we do not know what to do. It seems to be an unwelcome guest that makes us feel uneasy and tired of all things. According to Thomas Watson, this experience is sent by God that we may seek Him more for a deep “sorrow and a melting heart will fit us for every holy duty”, that we may be fit to pray, to hear the word, and to obey.

As sudden as that unexplainable sense of despair is, God’s comfort sometimes takes us back immediately to Him. I said “sometimes” since there are times when the “sense” of comfort is not immediately felt though it is readily available whenever we pray and meditate upon His word.

I am not saying that we measure God’s comfort based on our feelings or emotion. But we should not divorce it from the compassionate LORD, for He “heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3).

Early this morning before I took a break at work, I had this quick and soul-drowning sadness which I couldn’t explain why. Suddenly, I felt I was alone and the words of the book that I laid in my heart seemed not to bring comfort to my soul. But in a significant and unprecedented way, an awful sense of God’s assurance and love came. It enlivened my soul when a hymn suddenly colored my fainting heart. This was unusual but it is precious.

That hymn was “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. Sing along with me…

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me.

It is really a blessing to have a church that sings hymns that are full of biblical truths and it gives comfort when your joy is robbed and deep sorrows take over.

The poem and especially the line “…when hope within me dies,” was penned by Civilia Martin as inspired by an ill and bedridden friend that she visited. Despite her friend’s sickness and desperate situation, she remembered that God, her Heavenly Father from above, was watching over her with care (Matthew 10:31).

The text which we have before us is one of the LORD’s assurance to His disciples when He commissioned them to preach the good news (v.7). As they anticipate rejection (v. 15), persecution (v.17), and division (v.21), they were commanded not to fear death (v. 28), since they are the apple of God’s eye in Christ.

The encouragement that Jesus gave to them arises from the fact that God takes care of the smallest and least valuable birds, the sparrows. Therefore, “if He takes care of birds of least value, if He regards so small a thing as the hair of the head and numbers it, He will certainly protect and provide for you.” (A. Barnes)

The sins that indwell us, the world that weakens us, and the spiritual rebels that accuse us seem to destroy our hope unknowingly. But take heart because God’s sure comfort embraces us.

Richard Baxter, who is called as the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen writes,

"But God's love and promise through Christ so sure a ground for faith and comfort, that it is the great duty and interest of all men, confidently and quietly, to trust Him, and then to live in the joy of holy trust and hope." - Richard Baxter, The Cure of Depression and Excessive Sorrow

So if you are feeling hopeless, troubled, afflicted, and distressed, pray, go to His word, and know that the LORD cares for you. Let your eye of faith look upon your Loving Savior. Again, hear it out loud! He cares for you.

How does the fact that the Gracious LORD has His eye on His redeemed people affect your love for Christ?

SOLI DEO GLORIA

---

Posted with permission from Bro Jeff Chavez, Deacon, Herald of Grace Covenant Bible Church - HGCBC Cavite. Original blog post here.