From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ Acts 17:26-28
I find these two things undeniably related. As a child of the King, they cannot exist exclusively independent from one another, yet, we prod through life as though His glory is somehow untouchable and our well-being is ours to obtain. Could it be that these two things are so intertwined that they, in a very un-human way, stirs the soul to trust in the largely strange pursuit of God for me.
It’s that which forms the basis of asking whether He really cares for me. Perhaps you even answered the question toward yourself without giving it a second thought, “Of course He does!” I do the same — each time I ask!
I think of Job and Jeremiah as well as the Disciples. Characters that faced a myriad of obstacles, trials, doubt, and mostly . . . God’s personal pursuit in the presence of His glory. Job cried out in pain and grief to question God (Job 38:2-3) and Jeremiah explodes toward God with His use of Him (Jeremiah 20:7-9), while the Disciples questioned Jesus in others wounds and crippling being ascribed to our sin and foolishness (John 9:1-7).
Nothing spells care more clearly than the willingness and patience of our God and His children questioning His presence and purpose for our lives. The pursuit of His people is far from passive and swells with His love and compassion. His gentleness and patience mixed with the power of His might and glory, together display the majesty of the Almighty God, my everlasting Father . . . the Prince of Peace!
Lord Jesus, this one is more than I can chew in a single bite. It is overwhelming at best. May I never stop questioning you, but may I never doubt your purposes nor your pursuit of me! I know, without question, you care for me — the depth is something my mind cannot measure. If only I knew and understood your heart more clearly!
All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Psalm 139:16-17