January 18, 2009

O Beloved, do you know that what concerns you is of the utmost concern to God? If you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ, every need, every trial, every temptation that touches you, touches God, because you are part of His Son. You are bone of His bone, flesh of His flesh. You belong to Jesus. He is your Savior, your Lord, your Head, your Elder Brother-a joint-heir with you.

As His child, this is why God tells you to humble yourself by casting every single care, everything that makes you anxious, worried, or upset upon Him. You are His sheep. He is your Shepherd.

Cast your cares on Him! Do not walk in pride, thinking you must bear it alone, figure it out, and somehow "make it" on your own. Humility admits need and says, "I cannot, but, God, You can!"

First Peter 5:6 and 7 says: "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."

Did you notice that I underlined the word "because" in that verse? I want you to see and know just how precious you are to Him. You have worth, value, purpose! Whether you believe it or not, it is true.

If there's a little voice inside you saying anything to the contrary, just know it is the voice of the serpent of old, Satan, who is the personification of doubt. He is the father of lies. He wants to convince you that whatever happens, you are on your own. Everything depends on you. That's a lie.

That is why the exhortation in 1 Peter 5:7, "casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you," is followed by these words: "Be of sober spirit." In other words, don't let your mind take you where you shouldn't go; keep your thoughts under control.

First Peter 5:8 says: "Be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."

When you forget how precious you are to your Father God, when you think He doesn't care, or that He won't or can't care because of something you have done, or because of who you are, then, dear one, you are being devoured by the devil, and believe me, he is not toothless! He can chew you up and spit you out emotionally if you don't do what God says.

If you are afraid to commit yourself to God, to roll your burden onto His shoulders and leave it there (that is the metaphor behind "casting all your anxiety on Him"), then I can tell you this with utmost certainty, you don't have a proper understanding of God's character or His sovereignty.

The movie Braveheart was based on the true story of a Scottish hero, William Wallace, who captured the hearts of a nation. One of the main characters from the original story was Robert Bruce. The story is not in the movie, but Robert Bruce, like William Wallace, endured persecution.

At one point when Robert Bruce was fleeing from those who would take his life, he ducked into a small cave. His persecutors searched the countryside for him, inspecting every possible hiding place. When they came to the cave where Bruce was actually hiding, one of the men ducked to go in and check out the cave, and noticing a spider's web, called to the others, telling them there was no need to go into the cave. They were convinced he couldn't have entered the cave without breaking the spider's web.

Overhearing them, and with a sigh of relief and trembling lips, Robert Bruce breathed this prayer: "O God, I thank Thee that in the tiny bowels of a spider you can place me a shelter."

Yes, God is able to care for you right down to sending spiders to hide you. And He will, because you are precious to Him and what concerns you is of the utmost concern to Him.

My friend, every single detail of your life is important to God. Continue to know God by studying His Word for yourself. Keep seeking Him daily, for He cares for you! Give Him this day, this month, this year, and give Him your future.

Kay Arthur
Host, Precepts For Life
Co-CEO, Precept Ministries International