By Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Senior Columnist
Based on Biblical Text: Matthew 10:31: Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
We are reminded constantly about Grace, God’s unmerited favor. Grace comes from God, through Jesus Christ, and we need Grace in order to inherit eternal life. However, we seldom talk about God’s careful attention to every detail of our lives through His Grace. God’s grace is everywhere. It is impossible to miss, reject, or even hide from Grace. The Bible says, God’s Grace is sufficient for everything! He cares about every detail of our life and covers our lives with His Grace.
We can be sure that God really cares! He numbers our hairs. Jesus says, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” If God cares that much about our body, how much more He must care about our soul. There is nothing about our physical being that God is not keenly aware of.
God counts our steps. Job said, “Doth not [God] see my ways, and count all my steps?” God knows every step we take and He knows where those steps take us. God knows when we break His laws, but He also knows when we stay on the straight and narrow path!
God books our thoughts. Malachi 3:16 says, “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” We cannot hide a single thought from God! We are admonished that God knows the thoughts that come from our carnal mind but, He also knows our thoughts that come from our heart. God knows the conflict raging inside us. Thus, His solution, “Think upon His name.”
God bottles our tears. David wrote, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book? When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.” God knows every tear we shed and counts every tear precious. God knows when we are in pain, frightened or disappointed. He sees our sorrow, and He harvests our tears and mixes them with the one’s Jesus shed. Yes, Jesus wept!
God takes our hands. When Israel feared that God had abandoned them, He told Isaiah to tell them, “For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee”. There is never a time when God withdraws His hand of protection from those who belong to Him. There is no enemy He cannot conquer. When God takes our hand we are completely outfitted with the armor of God, thoroughly filled with the spirit of God and properly anointed with the power of God. In other words, when God takes our hand, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper!”
Finally, God supplies our needs. When Paul wrote to the struggling church in Philippi, he said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”. What more assurance do we need that God really cares? If we trust Him, no worry will weaken us, no trial will destroy us, and no challenge will frighten us.
The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of James Chapel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C.
