#171 THE LORD IS CONCERNED 9-22-26

The Lord is concerned.

He knows you. He sees you. He watches over you. He knows what you have done, what you are doing, and what you will yet do. He knows the thoughts you never speak, the burdens you never explain, and the tears nobody else sees. “You understand my thought afar off” (Psalm 139:2).

There is no one who knows more about you than God. And there is no one who cares more about you than God. That ought to astonish us.

God’s knowledge of us is complete, but His knowledge is not accompanied by contempt. He knows our weaknesses, yet He is compassionate. He knows our failures, yet He is merciful. He knows our sins, yet He has provided salvation. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (Psalm 103:8).

The Lord is concerned.

He is concerned about our destiny. Eternity is not a minor footnote in the story of humanity. We were created for more than a few decades between the cradle and the grave. God has “put eternity in their hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). He calls us to Himself because He cares where we spend eternity.

And what has He done about it?

He gave His Son.

Jesus did not come merely to improve our lives. He came to save us. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). At Calvary, God’s concern became visible. The cross tells us what our sin cost and what His love was willing to pay.

Sacrifice.

Service.

Salvation.

Look at the sacrifice of Christ. “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2). Look at the service of Christ. He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Look at the salvation of Christ. “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him” (Hebrews 7:25).

The Lord is concerned.

But His concern does not end with saving us from sin. He is concerned with what He does through us after He saves us.

Paul understood this. He said, “I labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (Colossians 1:29). Paul worked, but he knew the power behind his work was God’s power. He labored, but God’s strength was working in him.

What a beautiful balance.

We work.

God works in us.

We strive.

God supplies the strength.

We serve.

God gives the power.

Paul did not boast about what he could accomplish by himself. He understood that everything worthwhile in his ministry ultimately depended upon the power of God working through him.

That same power is available to those who belong to Christ. Paul prayed that believers would know “what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19).

Think about that.

The God who created the heavens works in His people.

The God who raised Jesus from the dead works in His people.

The God who sustains creation works in His people.

His power is not merely something we read about in ancient history. It is power at work toward us and within us.

And all of it flows from His concern.

He knows.

He watches.

He loves.

He calls.

He saves.

He strengthens.

He sends.

He sustains.

From eternity to eternity, God has been working for our good and for His glory. Before we ever knew His name, He knew ours. Before we ever sought Him, He was calling us. Before we could offer Him anything, He had already given us everything in Christ.

So do not mistake His silence for indifference.

Do not mistake His patience for absence.

Do not mistake your weakness for His weakness.

The Lord is concerned.

He is concerned about your soul. He is concerned about your walk. He is concerned about your witness. He is concerned about your eternity.

And the God who is concerned about you is also the God who is powerful enough to do something about it.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20).

The Lord knows you completely.

The Lord loves you deeply.

The Lord works in you mightily.

And the Lord is not finished with you yet.

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Father, thank You that You know us completely and love us faithfully. Thank You for the sacrifice of Christ, the gift of salvation, and the power You place at work within those who follow You. Help us trust Your compassion, depend upon Your strength, serve You faithfully, and live with eternity always before us. Amen.

BDD