photo #5476301

"Our Caring and Comforting Father""When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living."(Psalm 142:3-5)David, who was probably still young and not yet king, wrote this Psalm while hiding for his life in a cave. He felt completely abandoned by everyone's care, so he cried out to God for a refuge of comfort.In years past, many believers have received the same refuge of comfort while facing a similar situation. Think about those persecuted believers, beginning at the close of the 1st century right up to our current time, whose lives were in such danger they had to hide for their own safety. It is a very lonely place to be when one senses that no human being really cares about their life, whether they survive or not. In this Psalm David directs the struggling child of God to look toward the One who always cares for and comforts us. God Almighty is indeed our refuge during those times when it seems no one cares.I recently read a story of a little boy who was eagerly looking forward to the birthday party of a friend who lived just a one block away. On the day of the party a blizzard made the sidewalks and roads nearly impassable. The boy’s father was hesitant to let his son go out in the storm."But Daddy," the little fella pleaded, "All the other kids will be there. Their parents are letting them go." The loving father thought for a moment, then replied softly, "All right, you may go." Surprised but overjoyed, the boy bundled up and plunged into the raging storm.The driving snow made visibility almost impossible. Crying as he went, but happy to be going, it took him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party. As he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look out into the storm. His eye caught the shadow of a retreating figure. It was his caring father. The boy was comforted in his heart and realized that his father had followed his every step to make sure he arrived safely.Oh, make no mistake about it. Our Heavenly Father follows every step His children take the same way, yea, and much more than that earthly father who followed his young son's steps. We can trust that He is with us and watching over us with great care during those blowing storms of danger. He's always alert to our goings: no matter who we are, where we are, or what we are facing.Friends, no other may care for you, but your one and only caring Father in Glory cares. For He indeed paid a precious price to redeem your soul and He will comfort you, as well as me, while we continue along the course set before us.