God Is a Caring Father
By Rick Warren
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
At one time or another, you’ve probably been in a situation where you’ve asked, “Doesn't God care?” The disciples asked this very question in Mark 4.
They were out in a boat on the lake when the winds and the waves came up. The water started sloshing over the boat and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping. The disciples woke him up and asked the most important question you can ever ask, "Don't you care that we're drowning?" (Mark 4:38 CEB).
What about you? Does God care about your house payment, your health, whether you are a success or failure, your children’s education, whether you ever get married or not, about the argument you had with your boyfriend, or about how you feel this morning? God says, “You bet I care! I am a caring Father.”
Matthew 6:31-32 says, “So do not worry saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ . . . your heavenly Father knows that you need [these things]” (NIV).
The next verse goes on to say, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV).
Scripture says that God is interested in every little detail of your life. That’s so incredible I don't think it even sinks in. God is a caring God. He is concerned about every little detail in your life.
A while back, a man came into my office and said, "I'm a Christian but I don't feel like I'm going anywhere in my Christian life. I'm kind of stuck in neutral." I said, "What do you think the problem is?" He said, "I think my problem is I just don't love God enough."
I said, "That's not your problem. Your problem is not that you don't love God enough. Your problem is that you don't understand how much he loves you."
Love is always a response to love. The Bible says, "We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NIV). When you say, "I don't love God," it's because you don't understand just how much he really loves you. He cares about every detail of your life. He is a compassionate, caring Father.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
