DOES JESUS CARE?

Heather Allington

Heather writes for Sunday Song Book on behalf of the The Salvation Army Oshawa. As a lifelong member of the Army, she has loved these familiar - and some less familiar - songs for many years, and enjoys researching and writing about their origins. She is a wife, mother, grandmother and retired elementary school teacher who likes trying her hand at watercolour painting and poetry writing.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth or song,
As the burdens press and the cares distress
And the way grows weary and long?

CHORUS:
Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares –
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares.

Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed
To resist some temptation strong;
When for my deep grief there is no relief,
Though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said, “Goodbye”
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks,
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Some people bear more burdens and sorrow than others. Perhaps someone reading this may be wondering if God cares about their problems at all!

Reverend Frank Graeff, a Methodist minister in the United States in the 19th century, was sometimes called the “Sunshine Minister” because of his cheerful disposition and radiant personality. Children were drawn to him because of this. However, Graeff suffered a series of heart-breaking experiences which left him in deep despondency. Eventually he gave himself into the arms of the Lord and found himself singing Joseph Scriven’s familiar words:What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear . Then the words of 1 Peter 5:7 came to his mind: Cast all your care on Him, for He cares for you . This led Graeff to write the comforting words of the above song. May we all be helped by the reminder that in spite of our troubles, questions and doubts, we can believe that Jesus truly does care about us, walks beside us and shares our burdens. He Himself said that we humans are “worth more than many sparrows”, and that God watches over even these. (Matthew 10:29-31)