We were born into this world with circumstances we did not choose, and we have been shaped by an environment we did not create. Some come from what seems to be a healthy environment and others are living with the consequences of others’ poor decisions and careless actions that have impacted their lives today. Some of you are even wondering why you have been dealt the hand you have or why you must go through the challenges you face, while others seem to have a good life in comparison to yours. Many people are feeling hopeless, believing things will remain the same and that current situations can never get better. Without hope, one is left feeling alone, rejected, and only looking to survive from day to day. We must ask ourselves a very vital question that will direct the course of our future and expose the patterns in our lives. Does God care?
Gifts come from someone who cares. Good and meaningful gifts come from someone who is not looking to hurt you, but only to provide joy and fulfillment. Now, we must ask ourselves another question. Are sickness, poverty, oppression, and broken hearts good gifts? Absolutely not! All of these things exist because of the fall of man in the garden. Because of their disobedience, sin and the results of sin entered into the world. Now good and evil are known by men, and sin separated us from God. God kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden so that they would not eat of the Tree of Life and live forever in the state of sin (Genesis 3:22-23). God's plan was to send us a Savior who will crush the head of satan and restore us back to the Father and to give us life more abundantly (Genesis 3:15; John 10:10). Jesus came to die for our sins and to give us the good news. Good news to the poor is to be made rich. Good news to the blind is restored sight. Good news to those in bondage to drugs, pornography, alcohol, depression, and other addictions is to be made free. If we do not realize why Jesus came, we will continue to accept what sin has produced. In Luke, Jesus announced His mission in the synagogue by reading from Isaiah 61:1.
Luke 4:18-19 says, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
The same God that has done miraculous things in the Old Testament did it again through Jesus and the disciples in the New Testament. This same God is still doing it today for those who dare to believe. The enemy seeks to water down God’s ability and willingness to help His people, but our Father is good and desires to help those who want it. Have you ever tried to help your child and they refused? This is a travesty. You have what they need but they fail to see that you will actually help them. God, our heavenly Father wants us to trust Him. He wants us to use our faith that we have been given and believe Him for the impossible things, because all things are possible to them that believe (Mark 9:23). Jesus gives us strength to endure and makes a way out of what tries to keep us bound. Our hope must be in Jesus Christ! You have been given permission to go from hopeless to hopeful. Only believe. Just ask Him for help, surrender. And yes, God does care. The good gifts of peace, joy, love, and freedom are waiting for you. There is light at the end of the tunnel. Keep going.