God Cares

“And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”  Exodus 4:31

“Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen.  Nobody knows but Jesus.”  In our younger years, my sister and I often crooned this tune when our mom ruined a perfectly good Saturday with countless chores. Though mopping made us mournful and dusting caused distress, she did not seem the least bit moved by our misery, so we sang all the louder and took solace in the fact that at least heaven heard our cries.  And cared.

Now that I’m older, I’m not so sure house cleaning makes the list of life’s hardships, but lots of other legitimate trials and troubles do, and during those times it’s comforting to know that even if others don’t notice, God sees and God cares.  

Surely the Israelites wondered about this during the many years their bodies ached from the bitter labor of brickmaking, city building, and crop gathering.  Their freedom had been stolen through slavery by “Egyptians who worked them ruthlessly”(Ex 1:14), and their lives were harsh, hot, and hopeless.

Then Moses showed up with miracles and a message—God cares.  “And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped”(Ex 4:31).  With tears rolling down tired faces and calloused hands lifted high in praise, they knelt before the One who had seen every lash, heard every cry, noted every abuse, listened to every sigh—and cared.  “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him”(Nah 1:7).

Sometimes we take God’s care for granted and fail to be awed that the God who is so far above us is so concerned with us—“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?(Ps 8:4)—but more often we get so focused on our fretting that we forget the love of our Father and fail to take advantage of His open heart and strong arms—“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”(1 Pet 5:7).

Often it’s true that nobody but Jesus knows your troubles, but without doubt and with great delight you can be sure that He does.  Bow in worship.  Shout in praise.  The Almighty God cares for you and cares about you.  

Now that’s a tune we should croon with joy!