Does Jesus Care?

"...casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you..." I Peter 5:7

Good morning, dear friends,

Photo: eliola pixabay

(In case any of you were wondering, I slept like a baby last night.)

For the last several days, I've had a song going through my head.  It's an oldie but goodie, one of those hymns that I learned as a young Christian that has just stuck in my brain.  

What is this hymn, you might ask?

"Does Jesus Care?"  

It has long been one of my favorites, and I always cry a little when I hear the words sung, though I don't really know why.  It has such thoughtful stanzas, then such an uplifting chorus. I think it is so meaningful to me because I feel like I can relate to every part of the song.  There's the heart cry in the verses, and then the soaring affirmation in the chorus.  

The author, Franklin E. Graeff (1860-1919), must have been a man well acquainted with sufferings and coming through them victoriously, but, strangely enough, as I was trying to research the story behind this hymn, there were many conflicting opinions as to what motivated this beautiful song.  Franklin was a popular pastor in Philadelphia, PA, during the turn of the century.  Some have stated that he lost his wife and daughter in a fire, some have stated that it was his many years tending to the broken-hearted of his flock that led him to write the words of this hymn.

In any case, what is known is that Franklin had buried many loved ones, including his mother, father, and three sisters, all prior to writing this beautiful hymn.  He was certainly well acquainted with losing those he held dear to him, and that had an influence on the fourth stanza.

I can't help but be moved when I think about the depth of Jesus's care for me.  The verse at the top of this blog is tucked in the middle of the concluding instructions of Peter at the end of this letter:  " ...casting all your care upon Him; for he careth for you..." (I Peter 5:7)  This instruction is such an interesting one:

"...casting..." apparently means to deposit, on purpose or deliberately.

"...all your care..." would mean my lot of sufferings and burdens.

"...upon Him..." Jesus is the only one who is capable of taking my greatest burdens from me.

"...for He careth for you."  Jesus is interested in me, personally. He cares not only for the world and its inhabitants as a whole, but for me, individually.

May the Lord help me to deliberately place the burdens that come my way today on Jesus's shoulders.  May I remember during trials and testings, that, oh yes, he cares, I know he cares!

Does Jesus Care

  

(1) Does Jesus care when my heart is pained

Too deeply for mirth and song-

As the burdens press, and the cares distress,

And the way grows weary and long?

  

CHORUS: O yes, He cares- I know He cares!

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

  

(2) Does Jesus care when my way is dark

With a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades,

Does He care enough to be near?

  

(3) Does Jesus care when I've tried and failed

To resist some temptation strong?

When for my deep grief I find no relief,

Tho my tears flow all the night long?

  

(4) Does Jesus care when I've said good-bye

To the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks-

Is it aught to Him? does He see?