Why does God care about me?

I made a mistake. Phil and I talked months ago about are whole series on worship music. I thought we sang the song you just heard. I heard it often on the radio and love it. So I wrote today’s sermon to show the powerful truths from scripture and for your life that is sung in that song.

Because you need the truths of God for next week after this last week.

What a powerful week it was. I love what one headline I read said,

“No matter if you were MAGA or WOKE everyone agreed, the eclipse was great.”

In Stockton it wasn’t as great a change as Texas or New York, but I can tell you it was a lot of joy to the kids at the school where I teach.

My friend in Texas was left not speechless, he was full of words but also no words to tell how amazing it was to see a total eclipse as he even got to see a solar flare at the peak of the eclipse.

Some people with a sight like this get caught up in the amazingness of God as the ancient text of the Bible states,

Psalm 19:1–2 CSB

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.

And yet others, when they see it or don’t bother to see it, wonder why would God care about them. Again the ancient word of God speaks to this truth,

Psalm 8:3–4 CSB

3 When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, 4 what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man that you look after him?

While the Bible has an answer for the question, I don’t want to share that answer with you but instead sit in this question.

Why would God care about me?

Because while the eclipse was neat, in this same week, marriages are breaking up, children are running away, people are getting sick, bills are coming due. The stresses of life attack us and we try to figure out how to cope.

Perhaps now is added the shame of how we handled such stress in the past: attacking others, hiding in substances, chasing “what makes us happy” which led to selfish acts of doing things that now give us shame.

And you are here and you are not alone.

This experience is so common a song has been written about it. The song I shared with you in the video, “

God is in this story

The song is wrapped up in a metaphor. A comparison of ourselves to a book, to a story. Like when you think about the problems of now or the stuff from back then, you’re probably going to tell me a story. I bet you have a lot of stories, you might not call them stories they are just what happened or how you feel about it, but those are stories.

So when you think of those words of your past from your story, what do they tell you? When you remember, what do you tell yourself?

Well the song begins there, in the words:

There’s torn up pages in this book / Words that tell me I’m no good / Chapters that defined me for so long

This song starts in the negative. The shame, the failures of what we did and the stuff we didn’t do. The words that you bring up when your anxiety starts rolling. The memories you bring up when things aren’t going your way.

Thankfully the song continues,

But the hands of grace and endless love / Dusted off and picked me up / Told my heart that hope is never gone

Great words to transition this song with, the hands of grace, the work that Jesus did for you and I. it’s here that we begin to understand the answer to the question, why does God care about me?

When I hear, “

the hands of Grace and endless love

I immediately thought of what I share on the tour of our Christmas light display, what the disciple Thomas said when told Jesus was resurrected.

John 20:24–29 CSB

24 But Thomas (called “Twin”), one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples were telling him, “We’ve seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Don’t be faithless, but believe.” 28 Thomas responded to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Those scars, Jesus still shows the marks of endless love. He did what none of us could do. Jesus paid the price of our sins with his own body by being crucified, hung on cross, for you and I. He does what you and I often find impossible to comprehend. Through his sacrifice he offers forgiveness of our sins to all who believe.

Hebrews 10:10 NLT

10 For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.

This act is an act of grace, unmerited favor, unearned favor, unworked for favor. Jesus did this not because of what you did, but because of who He is. He loves. He loves us enough to lay down His life for us.

He cares not because of you, not because of me, but because of who He is. He loves so He gives grace

This grace,

Ephesians 2:8 CSB

8 For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—

All people are not God’s children. Just like at the birthday party I went to last night, not all the gifts were mine. They were for the person who accepted the gifts. Those who accept Jesus as God, who accept Jesus’s sacrifice are adopted by God as part of his family.

Romans 8:14–16 NLT

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.

And because you are part of his family than you can hold on to the promise that God wins. God is always working towards his win and since He wins, and you are part of his family, you win.

Romans 8:28 CSB

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

So your past crumbled up chapters of your life, your past failures, the things God delivered you from are not who you are. He changes what is impossible to change. He defeated death, therefore in whatever you are facing today there is always hope, always grace . God is at work. as the song says

God is in this story / God is in the details / Even in the broken parts / He holds my heart, He never fails

God cares about the details because there is no limit to his caring. Even where we can’t, God can. but do we trust God with these details?

This week I got to read about someone who didn’t realize that God is in the details. I’ve been reading the Bible Recap, the Bible study that EJ is leading right after church today.

The Bible Recap

is a reading plan so we are all reading through the Bible this year, together. If you would like to be a part of this study, EJ can help set you up with it.

Anyway this week, we read in the Bible book of 1st Samuel and the story of King Saul who was the first king of Israel. When he became King, the prophet Samuel told him how he was supposed to lead the people of Israel to victory. He was supposed to wait for Samuel to come and give a sacrifice to God before King Saul could lead his people into battle. Saul knew the details, wait for Samuel, Samuel would worship God through sacrifice, and Saul would lead the people into battle. The army came together for over 7 days and no Samuel. The people Saul was leading were scared and some began to leave, an army that is being deserted by it’s own is an army that is easily defeated. So Saul got scared by what He saw around him, so he tried to fix it. He offered the sacrifice and then Samuel showed up.

1 Samuel 13:10–14 CSB

10 Just as he finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel arrived. So Saul went out to greet him, 11 and Samuel asked, “What have you done?” Saul answered, “When I saw that the troops were deserting me and you didn’t come within the appointed days and the Philistines were gathering at Michmash, 12 I thought, ‘The Philistines will now descend on me at Gilgal, and I haven’t sought the Lord’s favor.’ So I forced myself to offer the burnt offering.” 13 Samuel said to Saul, “You have been foolish. You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. It was at this time that the Lord would have permanently established your reign over Israel, 14 but now your reign will not endure. The Lord has found a man after his own heart, and the Lord has appointed him as ruler over his people, because you have not done what the Lord commanded.”

You might think, man that’s harsh. Saul was just scared so he did what he thought he should do. But Saul knew what God told him to do. He got scared because he didn’t have the faith to believe that even when everything looks bad, God is still working. God is in the details.

He acted on his fear not his faith.

People do this with relationships all the time! They know what God would have them do but they are afraid they will be alone, taken advantage of, hurt, miserable, and do what they think is right. I get up here and say God works all things for His glory. Jesus saves us, Jesus loves us, but I hurt at times. I have lots of regrets from my past sins and sometimes I look at things in my life and I get scared. This is why it is important to

respond to fear with faith.

God knows. He is working. For whatever situation God will give me a responsibility but He will be the one who does all the work.

I take the responsibility and know, God got this.

As the song says,

When I’m at my weakest / I will trust in Jesus

This is the essential statement for any follower of Jesus. Despair is the worst for us, because despair is hopelessness. When we know that God who promises us resurrection, who came to bring us abundant life, who gave us the Holy Spirit to know the right way, when we truly believe that

even in our darkest hour Jesus is working, their is no reason to lose hope

Thousands of years ago when Abraham and Sarah were childless and incredibly old, but God promised that he would make a nation out of them Abraham had faith.

Romans 4:20–21 CSB

20 He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do.

King David, was not like King Saul, when he saw that the situation of a warrior that no one could defeat, that everyone was afraid of, he grew brave because God is in the story, And God brought David victory over the Giant Goliath.

In your court case, in your work situation, in your lvoe life, in your family dispute, in your health, God is in the details and there is hope!

As the song says,

Always in the highs and lows / The One who goes before me / God is in this story

This story is your story. How does this work? What does this look like in real life?

I have to tell you that it is so simple that sometimes it doesn’t sound that impressive. This week I learned of a tragedy in the life of my friend. I didn’t know what to do. At first I wanted to rush in and try to say something nice, to somehow fix it, but I didn’t know what, when or how to do anything.

Remembering what Saul did about getting in front of God and as we learn in this song that God is in my friend’s story, I prayed. I prayed that God would bless my friend and if given the possibility that I would join God by my friend’s side.

A few days passed and in these days I felt miserable whenever my friend came to my mind because I thought, Am I just a coward who doesn’t know what to say so I avoid the situation? I became more convinced though that I was just afraid of not being there for more my friend instead of concentrating on obeying God.

That’s right

you can want to do good but because it is out of fear and not obedience to God even “good” can be wrong

, remember Saul?

I prayed and went on with life. Because God is in my friend’s story as He is in my story. Then out of the blue my friend contacted me at the exact right time, so that then and right then, when because of the circumstances it would have been bad a time to talk to anyone else, it was the perfect time to talk with my friend.

That is just a rather simple example. My friends you may have something so much bigger in your life. Faith in all situations, is also knowing that results are in God’s hands and for His benefit.

Not on our time but on his time.

Another example,

Yesterday, we did something that men in this church have been asking about for over a decade. We had a men’s breakfast. Not a big deal, guys gathering, enjoying breakfast, sharing about their lives, and reading scripture. It was a simple. It’s also a huge deal. We had men accepting each other, supporting each other, and encouraging each other to live better. That’s rare in this world and it happened!

I can tell you I spent many years, especially during the time of Covid in depression over my failure as your pastor to motivate men to righteous living and serving together.

Yesterday, some great men came together and I did almost none of the planning. I didn’t even think of it. God made it happen through Kenny.

I apologize to God for doubting.

That was my storm still to some of you not a big storm, but I know I am not alone, The goal is not to impress with the hardness of life, the goal is some help right? The words of this song, point to the truth during the storms in our hearts,

So if the storm you’re walking through / Feels like it’s too much, and you / Wonder if He even cares at all

My friend, your storm is your storm. My storm about getting men together, might not seem like a big deal to you at all. I totally get that. I also know that some might be like I didn’t know that was such a big deal to you. I get that too, because I don’t necessarily know what is a big deal to you as well. But it is your big deal. Some may hear your story and think not a big deal, and others may hear it and shriek in terror. It is your storm what others think doesn’t matter. It is your story, it is the conflict that is driving the plot of your life. I might be but a side character. This church might be just a bit part of God’s story in your life, but God, is right in the middle, right in the thick of your story. He cares about what is happening in your story. Much better than I or anyone here can ever care about you. God knows you, died for you, offers his salvation for you, offers eternal life and offers abundant life right now. Just trust in Jesus, as the song says

Hold on tight to what you know / He promised He won’t let you go / Your song of healing’s written in His scars

Even when you’re learning to obey God with whatever area of your life in the midst of this stress is in your storm, God is with you. He’s not going to ditch you. Even when others forget, God doesn’t. Even when other’s fail, God will not fail.

Deuteronomy 31:6 CSB

6 Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”

Don’t ditch God. Don’t leave God. Don’t do what seems right, do what God says is right. Even when you are afraid.

But if you failed and your just waking up to it. Do not live in that shame either, because just as you have failed, I have failed but God He will remain.

1 John 1:9 CSB

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

So whatever is your stuff today as the song says,

If it reads like addiction / If it reads like disease / He’s the One who frees the prisoner / He’s the healer of all things

Jesus invites you to healing by committing your life to Him. We are powerless to change these things but God is powerful. As I said earlier, this isn’t a loss of responsibility. David had to pick up the stones and go into battle with Goliath but God gave the victory. God is always victorious. In His way, in His time. My mother stands victorious with Jesus, healed in resurrection. Another victory is like our own brother Jesse who today is standing victorious over homelessness about to move into his own place!

This is the little page turning endings of the chapters of their lives, but just because you aren’t at the end of a chapter or the end of the story don’t lose heart, God is in the story of all who follow Him. As the song says,

If it reads like depression / If it reads broken home / He’s the One who holds your sorrow / He won’t leave you here alone

He will never leave you or forsake you. Trust in Jesus. Do not fight this battle alone. Do not put Jesus to the side to do evil. Seek the Holy Spirit in the midst of evil, in the midst of trials, in the midst of tragedies and in the midst of boredom.

In God’s story, follow Jesus, and you will find rest for your soul.