You Matter to God

In my distress I send up prayers to God. When God answers my little, inadequate prayers I am always amazed. Compared to the grand scheme of things, my prayers are trivial and trite. God surely has more important things to do.

But apparently He doesn’t. My dear Father answers prayers about bedding that is too hot, paint that is the wrong color, meals that have gone awry and other minor difficulties that assail my life.

In my experience it seems God’s reply should go something like this – Stop your complaining. Many people don’t have a bed to sleep in, a wall to paint or a meal to go wrong.

But God doesn’t say that. Instead my Father answers my requests, by making a suggestion, through thoughts in my mind … put the mattress pad over the topper, go talk to the man at Ace or try this instead of that. Praise God!

I have given some thought to what characteristic of God is responding when He answers my unimportant prayers. I reasoned that my Father dearly loves me, which He does. He gave His only Son as a ransom for my soul.

His great love also causes Him to give aid to seemingly small needs of insignificant people. God doesn’t answer our every whim but He does answer according to His love.

We see Jesus’ love in action, with the woman known only for her illness. For twelve long years, this dear woman had a flow of blood. Longing for a cure she reached out to Jesus. When she touched the hem of His garment she was immediately cured. What a wonder!¹

And then there is Zacchaeus. We know his name but he was such a wee little man, he had to climb a sycamore tree to get a glimpse of Jesus. Later, Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house. There Mr. Z. met Jesus up close. This tiny little man was never the same again. Isn’t that marvelous?²

When you consider how many people there are in the world – 7 billion, do you ever think, who am I that God should shower His love on me? I do. Yet God loves people such as me and calls me His beloved child. How amazing!

“Think of what you were when you were called.
Not many of you were wise by human standards;
not many were influential;
not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the weak things of the world
to shame the strong.
He chose the lowly things of the world and
the despised things – and the things are not –
to nullify the things that are,
so that no one may boast before him.”
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NIV, 1978)

Did you catch that? God chooses the lowliest of people so no one could boast before him. Do you ever wonder if you matter? Remember this. You matter to God. He is your loving, merciful, kind heavenly Father!

Copyright © 2021
Lena Rae
All Rights Reserved

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¹Luke 8:40-48
²Luke 19:1-10