When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; what is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  Psalm 8:3-4

Chronic illness can be lonely.  When severe enough, it often leads to isolation either because we are not able to get out or because we just don’t feel up to the task mentally.   However, isolation is not limited to illness.  Personal tragedy, loss or grief can also lead to isolation whether it is circumstantial or self-imposed.  When we do not sustain a close relationship with God to guard our souls and do not maintain connections with godly people who challenge us and draw us out of our isolation, it’s easy to let feelings of insecurity and doubt take center stage in our thoughts and erode our faith in God and man.  It causes our world to darken and makes our future seem bleak.  We often feel small, insignificant and of little value…we may even feel abandoned.  In those moments, we need to consider the answer to the question posed in Psalm 8:3-4.

As David writes, the handiwork of God is vast.  When we consider the earth, sun, moon, stars, galaxies, etc. we humans as a group are small by comparison and as individuals we are miniscule.  Yet God “takes thought of us” and “cares for us”.  Collectively, God cares for us because we are the only part of creation made in His likeness and, as such, have been designed to rule over the earth.  As individuals it is more profound in that each of us has been made to have a relationship with God and to complete the tasks for which He has carefully fashioned us.   (Revelation 3:20 and Ephesians 2:10)  Further, the way He weaves our lives together, is as impressive as the heavens.

Beyond His meticulous planning of our lives and molding of our beings, God cares for us because of His love.  While John 3:16 is frequently quoted and rightfully known as a proof text for the depth of God’s love, I would be remiss in not discussing it.  I fear that we are so familiar with this passage that we often forget to recall it and to take its meaning to heart when we feel that we have no significance or value.  God has lovingly fashioned our minds, bodies and souls for a unique relationship with Him and to complete each task assigned to us.  As if that was not enough evidence of His love, He has sent His Son to die on a cross in order to cloth us in Christ’s righteousness and wipe away every sin that we have committed or will commit.  As much as we may love them and be grateful to them, there is no father, mother, sibling, spouse, child, friend or other relative or acquaintance that has cared for or done that much for us.  It is an immense, powerful and everlasting love that should never be forgotten or taken for granted.

Even when we understand why God cares for us, we often feel alone and abandoned.  In those moments we do well to remind ourselves of His promises.  First, He is always near.  “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)  Second, He protects.  “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”  (2 Thessalonians 3:3)  Finally, God rejoices over you.  “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior.  He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”  (Zephaniah 3:17)  While this is just a start, my point is that Almighty God, our ever present and protective warrior, not only loves us, but is joyful because of us.  He freely delights in us.  No matter how we feel, we are never alone, unloved, unprotected or ignored.

In those times when you feel alone, small and insignificant, remember that God who created and is sovereign over the heavens, the earth and all that is in them is still mindful of you, loves you, died for you, is with you, protects you, rejoices over you and desires a deep relationship with you.   As you do, allow those thought to: strengthen you, revive you, drive out your worry, eliminate your fear and fill you with joy and praise to your everlasting God and Father.

Today and always, may you see how great a love the Father has bestowed on you, that you would be called child of God; and such you are.  (1 John 3:1)

Will