I. II Cor. 1:3-7, Matt. 28:20, 11:28-30
Frank E. Graeff (1860-1919) during a time of severe agony,
doubt and despondency, turned to I Peter 5:7 for comfort and strength.
It says, "Casting all your care upon him; for He careth for
you." This became especially meaningful to him in this time
of need. He wrote the lines of "Does Jesus Care?" to
express the feelings of assurance that came to him.
II. Verse 1- Read
A. "When my heart.............song" Psalms 55:1-4, 28:7, Proverbs 14:12-13, Matt. 6:25-34. When we are so down that we neither want to sing or laugh, God and Jesus can help. They can help through our trusting in them! Great comfort and strength are available through our knowing that we can trust in the words and the promises of Jesus Christ!
B. "As the burdens press...........long? Matt. 11:28-30,
Gal. 6:1-2. We as Christians have two great sources of comfort.
The first is that, we can cast out burdens on Jesus. To take on
the light burden of following him is to abandon the heavy burdens
that this life places on us. When we set our priorities straight
by concentrating on our duties as Christians---all else will fall
into it's proper place. Our second source of comfort is from each
other. However, it is not enough for us just to help each other,
but we must also let others know of our cares and problems so
that in letting them help us, we help them to fulfill their obligations
toward others.
III. Verse 2-Read
"When my way .........near" John 8:12, 12:35, II
Cor. 4:6. The only cure for the dread and fear of darkness is
light. Jesus is that light. by providing light for us in this
world, he proves that he does care. He is the only one who can
guide us out of the darkness of this world into the glorious light
of the Father.
IV. Verse 3-Read
"When I've tried and failed......tears flow all the night
long?" Matt. 9:12, Acts 5:31, II Cor. 7:9-10 Jesus is the
Great Physician. He can heal any grief we suffer because of sin.
His sacrifice makes it possible for us to obtain forgiveness.
God then, not only forgives, he forgets! Repentance of sin, not
only relieves the guilty feelings from sin but relieves the eternal
consequences. however, I think it is important to point out that
even though the eternal consequences of sin may be relieved, sometimes
we must still suffer the physical, earthly consequences.
V. Verse 4-Read
"When I've said goodbye.............see? John 11:32-35,
Heb. 2:17-18, 4:14-16 I Thess. 4:16-18. Jesus cares so much for
us that he has provided a way that we can be with God, Himself,
the Holy Spirit, the Angels and the Saints that have gone before.
That way is the same way we have been talking about all along-casting
our cares, burdens and problems on him, by following his word!
Only those who are following in his footsteps can receive
the answers that we are looking for in this life. Jesus cared
enough to take on himself the sins of the world. Our obligation
to him is to care enough about him and his word that we accept
it exactly as it is and apply it to our lives. Only then can we
truly understand that Jesus does indeed care--- I KNOW MY SAVIOR
CARES!
In your time of darkness or sorrow, rest in the security of the
truth that Jesus truly cares deeply. Then try to comfort someone
else with these same thoughts.