My God Alphabet Journey—C
I'm sharing my own alphabetical list of some of the infinite attributes of God. This week I'm on the letter C. I’m not saying mine is the definitive list, but I will use Scripture as the bedrock for each letter. I hope you’ll join me on this journey and even develop your own list.
Think back to a time in your life when you felt carefree. I remember days as a child when I didn't have a worry in the world. When I think more about those times, I realize they were possible because someone else—my parents—were taking care of my needs. Our family wasn't wealthy or perfect, but I am here today because my parents took responsibility and provided for my shelter, food, clothing, and safety.
(A special note: I realize for some it's tough to remember any carefree moments and I don't mean to gloss over your pain. I hope, as you reflect on the dark days behind, there will be glimmers of light when you felt free or were set free from the burdens of life.)
Allof us are here today because of the care of God who provided—and stillprovides—for our daily needs. His care may have come from a parent, relative,or through the abilities and opportunities that God gave us. When ourminds and hearts are truly open to Him, we can see God's care for us in andthrough the seasons of life.
On the other hand…
We are assaulted daily by worries and fears. We see violence around us, we wonder about the economy and our personal finances, we think about challenges in our relationships and families, and the list goes on. It's easy to slip into the lie that we are alone and on our own. We are given a choice: Allow fears and worries to grip and consume us, or to release them to the Ultimate Care-taker: God!
Godis our Care-taker!
God is abundantly able and willing to take and handle our worries and fears, so we don't have to anymore. Let me repeat this: God is our Care-taker! Here are two Scripture verses that speak volumes on this:
"Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never letthe righteous be shaken." (Psalm 55:22)
"Cast all your anxiety on God because he cares foryou." (1 Peter 5:7)
Godis our Care-giver!
God is not only our Care-taker; he is also our Care-giver! There is a reciprocal relationship in the previous scripture passage:
- "Cast all your anxiety on God" —we can cast, toss, throw and release our overwhelming worries and fears on God.
- "He cares for you" —God takes care of everything that concerns all who turn to Him by faith. God's unshakeable promise in the Bible is to hold us in the palm of His hand in and through all of life. God will always deliver on this promise.
God desires to take care of you. The first and most important step to experience God's care is to release our own efforts to earn favor with Him, and instead trust in Jesus Christ who has already accomplished this for us! As we cast our flawed and failed attempts to live a good or perfect life, we can rest in the One who did this and stands victorious, risen, and alive before God, always advocating on our behalf. God's care for us is not only for this life but also for all eternity.
God has shown me His loving and perfect care throughout life. Even today He still calls me to give Him the big and small worries, fears, and concerns that come. He provides everything necessary for life as the time-tested hymn so beautifully stated:
"All I have needed Thy hand has provided, Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me!"
Earlier I wrote about God's care for me through my parents. The other side of this coin is that I saw God's care for them as they struggled through illnesses at the end of their earthly lives. My sister Terri and brother-in-law Mike opened their home and cared for Dad in the last weeks of his life. My brother Tom used his expertise to organize our parents' plans, finances, and end-of-life legal matters. Family and friends prayed for and came around them. Their response was a witness to God's care for my parents in the times when they were in need. My parents' God is the same One who promises to care for you, me, and all who turn to Him in faith.
I pray that you will cast your cares on the One who is your Care-taker and Care-giver. I've included a song I wrote and recorded called "Cast Your Every Care" that I hope encourages you to entrust your burdens on God.
http://chrisatkins.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Cast-Your-Every-Care.m4a
"Praisebe to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." (Psalm68:19)
The "C' of my God alphabet is this: God is the Care-giver.
Godbless you!
ChrisAtkins