No doubt this is a question that has crossed many minds this week. Perhaps it has crossed yours. There seems to be so much heartache and pain.
The shooting of little school children and teachers in Newton, Connecticut shocked us as a nation. We all felt heaviness and sorrow from this. Many of us felt fear and apprehension. The parents of these little children face emptiness and an aching heart.
Some friends I know, and some godly people whose blogs I read, have gotten bad news. One little girl is facing cancer for the fourth time. She is having chemo again, but options are limited this time. All this has happened after a time of hope that a treatment she had received was sending her cancer into remission. They hoped this treatment might even cure it. One friend lost relatives recently. Now she is being tested for cancer. A neighbor with cancer has to write a living will and an advance directive this week. A little boy who almost drowned seemed to be doing well. Now he is facing serious problems such as pneumonia. There just seems to be so much heartache. Valerie (who helped design this website) and her sister Allison are also going through hard times right now. Allison, still in the hospital, writes, “It hurts very deeply to have gone from just getting my independence back to being considered "home bound", and going from being discharged from outpatient PT to being admitted to home health PT.” Yet, in all of this, Allison continues to encourage others. She shared this beautiful song with those who read her CaringBridge page – Does Jesus Care?
Perhaps it is your heart that is heavy tonight. Perhaps it is heavy for your son or your daughter. Perhaps you are facing fear because of your own illness or because of something else that has happened or may happen. There is much trouble in this world, but we do not have to face it alone. Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)
But Jesus cares. Yes, He surely cares. In all of our heaviness and trouble and sorrow we can come to Him. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28,29) We can cast all our care upon Jesus. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)
Jesus cares for us now, and He will care for us for eternity. We have His love now, and we have great rejoicing to look forward to in Heaven. The Bible says, “1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.” (Revelation 21:1-5)
Does Jesus Care?
Words by Frank Graeff
Music by J. Lincoln Hall
Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain
Oh 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.
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?
Refrain
Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?
Refrain
Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
Refrain