His Gentle, Loving Care

The Lord’s care is over all His creatures. He loves them all and makes no difference, except that He has the most tender pity for those who are called to bear life’s heaviest burdens. God’s children must meet trials and difficulties. But they should accept their lot with a cheerful spirit, remembering that for all that the world neglects to bestow, God Himself will make up to them in the best of favors.

It is when we come into difficult places that He reveals His power and wisdom in answer to humble prayer. Have confidence in Him as a prayer-hearing, prayer-answering God. He will reveal Himself to you as One who can help in every emergency. He who created man, who gave him his wonderful physical, mental, and spiritual faculties, will not withhold that which is necessary to sustain the life He has given. He who has given us His Word—the leaves of the tree of life—will not withhold from us a knowledge of how to provide food for His needy children.

Some are always anticipating evil, or magnifying the difficulties that really exist, so that their eyes are blinded to the many blessings which demand their gratitude. The obstacles they encounter, instead of leading them to seek help from God, the only source of strength, separate them from Him, because they awaken unrest and repining.

Do we well to be thus unbelieving? Why should we be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is our friend; all heaven is interested in our welfare; and our anxiety and fear grieve the Holy Spirit of God. We should not indulge in a solicitude that only frets and wears us, but does not help us to bear trials…. He invites the weary and care-laden, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Lay off the yoke of anxiety and worldly care that you have placed on your own neck, and “take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matthew 11:28, 29. We may find rest and peace in God.
The Faith I Live By p. 63
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for my health. Will be checking cyst for cancer. Louise
—–My cousin has 3 children sick with RSV, including a one-month old. He now has full-blown pneumonia, and he was born a bit early so he’s had breathing problems even before the RSV. . .
. Let us pray over his little body for healing and wisdom to the doctors that they give him appropriate treatment. Jennifer
—– so many things happening that need special prayer. Right now we have an ambulance here for my precious little 2 yr old grandson. He has a very bad case of the flu and he was acting very strangely and making funny sounds and collapsed and seemed to go unconscious. 10 of my family members here have the flu right now and are very sick. I have not caught it yet. Please pray for little Daniel my grandson that he will be ok and get well soon and all the rest of my family that are sick. They say this flu is deadly and I am very worried. Thank you for all your prayers. Connie
—–Please pray for my cousins friend Yullini. Her cancer has spread to her lungs and liver she needs the power of prayer to heal her in the almighty name of Jesus. JuanCarlos
—–please pray for my children that God will guide them. LB
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Dear Friends,

Although my grandfather had stopped going to church for a time , he occasionally went when there was a special speaker. On one such occasion, Ellen White was speaking and my grandfather decided to go and hear her. At the time, Mrs. White was quite old and not feeling well. As she began speaking, she could barely be heard. Suddenly, my grandfather saw a bright light come to Mrs White and immediately her voice became strong and her vigor returned. The congregation listened attentively and were greatly blessed.

After the service as the people were talking in the foyer, some said how thrilled they were to see an angel come and stand by Ellen White. Others, including my grandfather, said that they saw no angel. They only saw a bright light. Others were surprised at this and declared that they had seen no angel nor even a light. This made a great impression upon my grandfather and eventually he came back to the Lord.

Although we don’t know why some saw an angel, others saw a bright light, and still others saw nothing at all, we can infer that it was their closeness to God that made the difference. Perhaps there were others in the congregation that day who, like my grandfather, needed a boost for their faith.

One time, Brian used this story, which my grandfather had told me when I was a child, in his sermon on spiritual sight. His Bible text was 2 Kings 6:8-17 with an emphasis on verses 15-17. “Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place, for thither the Syrians are come down. And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice. Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing, and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber. And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:8-17

How much we all need spiritual eyesight just as Elisha’s servant needed it so long ago. When compassed about with the armies of the devil, we can look beyond those trials and temptations and see angels the excel in strength poised ready to help us. When full of fear as we see the events taking place on this sinful, old planet, we can have assurance that God is in control. “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts, ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.” “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Ps 103:20, 21, Heb 1:14 Just as the angels were sent to shut the lions’ mouths to keep Daniel safe, so those same angels will drive away the evil one who is stalking us at every hand and seeking to devour us. May we obtain the Heavenly Eye-salve that we, through the eyes of faith, may see God’s holy angels guarding us each day is my prayer.

Rose