«Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you» (1 Peter 57, NM).
The grass stretches out for several yards, without stopping, not caring about the limit imposed by the fence. A dense grove of trees can be seen far off in the distance. The goal post is the only thing standing as a reminder of human presence. All the rest displays signs of the Creator’s touch.
I’ve gone there innumerable times to pray and music has been my companion on more than one occasion.
I sat on a tree trunk, looked up at the sky, prayed with this verse in mind and, almost accidentally, began humming the melody of the hymn «Does Jesus Care?» (Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal, No. 181).
Apparently, Frank E. Graeff had this same text in mind when composing the hymn we’ve sung so many times to remind us of God’s presence when we’re most afflicted.
Just as he found comfort and relief in this promise, and just as I also found them in my time of grief, you can be sure that if you cast your worries on Him, He will care for you in a special way.
When our heart is pained, He cares.
When our days are weary, the long nights dreary, He cares.
When we say good-bye to our dearest loved ones, He cares.
You might be feeling anxious today over something that’s weighing down on you. It might be something big or small, something new or something you ‘ve been carrying around for a long time.
Jesus invites us, like He personally invited those around Him so many years ago. «He who walks in the way of God’s commandments is walking in company with Christ, and in His love the heart is at rest» (The Desire of Ages, ch. 34, p. 331).
I encourage you to sing this hymn or listen to it at some point today and reflect on the lyrics. If possible, find a place where you can pray in peace and cast all your anxiety on Him.
Peter knew who he was talking about in his epistle. So do we.