Ever-Increasing Light

Sabbaths, Feasts, and More

Marking Jewish Themes with Devotion

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7).

Because He Cares

Scoffers throw their heads back and roll their eyes when the weak

of this world, who need spiritual crutches, speak of the existence of

God and His creation. They outright laugh at the thought, as the

 

Bible tells us, that the Lord of the Universe counts the hairs on our

heads and knows when a sparrow falls to the earth in death. “Such

ridiculousness!” The doubters mock.

 

But the American Park Ranger knows exactly how many buffalo

roam the open plains of Yellowstone National Park, just how

many bighorn sheep climb the red cliffs of Canyon Land in Utah.

 

That Ranger knows the height and depth of the national valleys,

the sources of the rivers, and the number of endangered species.

He can tell you have many bald eagles gave birth last year and

 

how many antelope play on the range — the annual inches of natural

glacier erosion. Why? He knows because he has been given stewardship

over parts of creation. It’s his job, but it’s more.

 

He delights in knowing, in facilitating his boundaries in survival,

and in the redemption of life and the land breathing, quaking before him.

Simply, the ranger knows – he keeps track – he counts, measures, and records –

 

because he cares.

©Bonnie Saul Wilks

 

Celebrities and other high-profile Americans like Brad Pit and Angelina Jolie make no bones about being above faith or belief in God. In Jewish thought, the existence and nature of God is not abstract; but pretty clear-cut. Here are a few examples.

God is Omnipresent

Hard for finite minds to comprehend, but God is everywhere all the time. His presence floods the universe, indeed exceeds its limitations. He sees us and is near if we call on Him. He is the God of all mankind, both Jew and Gentile.

God Is Omnipotent

God has the power to do anything, but there is one thing that is beyond His scope and that is the will of man. God does not force us to comply with His will. He allows things for a reason, even if we do not understand with human perception.

God is Omniscient

God is aware of all things in the past, present, and future. He not only knows our thoughts but understands why we have them!

God is Eternal

Because the Lord of the universe has no beginning or ending, he transcends time. Moses requested to know the name of God. His response was, “Ehyeh asher Ehyeh.” Most scholars have translated this, “I am that I am.” But the literal translation of the Hebrew is “I will be what I will be.” This is a picture of His eternal nature. Yeshua, who is the express image of God, said, “I am the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

The God of the universe is involved in your life, even if you do not know Him or believe in Him. He is revealing Himself to you daily in big and small ways. And just like the American Park Ranger, he knows the details, not just because he is eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, but because He cares.

For more study…

Jeremiah 23:24, Psalm 90:1-4, Daniel 4:35, Hebrews 4:13

Work it into daily life…

At some point in every person’s life, he looks heavenward and asks, “Do you see this, God; do you care?” Study the scriptures above on God’s eternal power, and character of omnipresence, omniscient, and omnipotent. Create a more extensive word study on these attributes. Meditate on these verses. You will find they will build your faith in the tried and true fact that God cares about you enough to know the number of hairs on your head!

©Bonnie Saul Wilks