“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”—1 Peter 5:7(NIV).
Stopped at a busy intersection in a large city recently, I noticed a large, scribbled message on one side of a large grey utility box. In black permanent marker, someone had written, “Nobody cares.”
On another side of the metal box, in bold black block letters, someone else had written neatly “Jesus loves you.” I’m positive the first message, scribbled in haste, was written first. The second appeared to be an answer to the first person’s cry for help, an encouragement to whomever had desperately penned the heart-felt words, “Nobody cares.”
At the base of the utility box was a pile of belongings—what looked like a bag of clothing, a dark green sleeping bag, and what appeared to be a grocery sack of food. Conspicuously absent was the person who’d left the belongings behind. Was it a homeless person or had someone who cared left the supplies behind for the person who believed no one really cared about their plight?
What We Leave Behind
Throughout the rest of my week, I couldn’t get this snapshot of humanity out of my mind. I still wondered about the person who’d penned the first message. My heart ached for someone who is probably homeless.
I also wondered, “Did the homeless person abandon his/her few possessions?” Why? Had the individual given up on life? Or, had a caring person purchased the goods and left them there—maybe the person who wrote, “Jesus loves you.”
I almost wished the homeless person had been present while I sat in my car, waiting for the light to change. My curiosity needed satisfying. I wanted to do my part and offer the person some money. Even more importantly, I wanted to feed his soul with an encouraging message from scripture.
God Values Everyone
In Matthew 10:29-31, Jesus reminds us how much we are valued by our Heavenly Father. “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
Jesus wants us to understand God’s infinite concern for us. If God cares for a tiny sparrow, how much more does He care for us.
Even more amazing, God even knows how many hairs are on our heads. We neither know nor care, but God does. He knows everything about us.
God Knows Our Needs
In Matthew 6:31-33, Jesus tells His followers, “Do not be anxious saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What clothes shall we wear?’ For the heathen go seeking these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Jesus cares for our souls, but He also cares about our physical bodies as well. He knows our every need and the needs of the body are legitimate. God wants us to put His kingdom first, to worry less about our material needs because He is our provider.
While, thankfully, I’ve never been homeless, my finances have sometimes been strained. But placing my hope and trust in God’s provision has never failed me. He has always provided just what I needed at just the right time. His timing.
God Hears Our Requests
How often do we forget to pray? Or how often do we doubt God really hears our requests for help? In turn, do we omit asking for what we need?
In 1 John 5:14-15, the author writes, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.”
When it comes to genuine needs, we can rest assured He will provide. He is a caring God. Cast all your anxiety on Him. He cares for you.
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loved this devotion, good opening illustration a hook. we have all seen those homeless people and the image can be haunting, you used it to act devotionally. thanks, Dietrich
Thank you, Dietrich. God has laid it on my heart where the homeless are concerned. If I am unable to help them financially at the time, I always pray for the person. God bless you, always!
Hi Carol, Another wonderful reminder of. His goodness and provision. My heart breaks for those souls who are in such desperate situations and can’t see this. Of course, I believe this is where we need to step in and, do what Jesus would do. Lord, give me an opportunity today.
Has your recent procedure corrected your knee issue?
You are so right, Betty. It is not our place to judge. We don’t know the homeless person’s story. Only Jesus does.
Amen. We can find comfort knowing God loves all His children.
Yes, we do, Melissa! It sure brings me comfort! Blessings always!
There was a time when this homeless person could have been my son. It could be again. I carry in my truck a yellow canvass bag with packages of toiletry items, such as toothbrush and toothpaste, tissue, travel size shampoo, body wash, etc. Also, I carry socks, some bibles and, in the winter, gloves and stocking caps. When I see a homeless person I do my best to go through a drive through and buy a meal, along with a coffee or water, and give it to them along with whatever they seem to need, from my yellow bag. I… Read more »
Thank you for sharing, Jeneal! I like your idea of carrying packages with items to help the homeless. I plan to do the same. I pray your son will not end up homeless again. We have to be the hands and feet of Jesus. God bless you, my friend.