Whether the annoyances are minor (like embedded glitter from Christmas, or lost car keys, or a nasty, drippy cold) or major (a difficult diagnosis, identity theft, financial difficulties), it’s all the same to God. If the creator of the universe who oversees probably billions of birds like the robin invasion in our yard yesterday and says in scripture that he notices even one bird’s fall, He can help us deal with whatever we’re facing today. “It’s all the same to God.”
Psalm 119:59, 105 says: “I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow Your statutes. You word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.” In scripture, we can find the solution to all the problems, petty or major, because God’s overriding concern is for us, made in His image. He counts the very hairs on our heads. He tells us not to worry about what to wear, or what to say if hauled into court for our faith, or not to be concerned about tomorrow, for today’s what matters. We are to have faith that He will care for us and guide us and comfort us and Jesus, our intercessor, will pray to the Father for and about us. Who or what, then, should we fear?
I invite you to read chapter 8 of Romans today. It will provide believers with the sure knowledge that God is in charge,, that we can call upon Him for the little things and the big ones, and that there is little difference between the two. “It’s all the same to God.” He answers prayer, He is concerned about the eternal, not the pettiness of this mortal, fallen world which will surely pass away. Instead, He has made us His heirs, and He cares about us.
This is how chapater 8 ends: 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, therefore, if God is for us, who can be against us? Bring those concerns, petty or consequential, to His throne, right this minute. Guaranteed, the glitter won’t bother you so much if you’re spending your time helping a friend. The car keys are right where you left them while you were rushing to answer a desperate phone call from someone requesting prayer. The check will arrive in today’s mail, or your medical issue will become less intrusive in your life if you bring everything to the Lord in prayer.
Joseph Scriven wrote these words in 1855. His life, if you read his biography, was touched by tragedy, personal, financial, physical, and mental, but he gave his life to service of the poor. His fiancée died by drowning the night before their wedding; his wife died of illness shortly after their marriage; and he was physically ill and financially destitute. His friends mocked him. But this is what he wrote, and this beloved hymn and many others is a testimony: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!/ What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer!/ O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,/ All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer!/ Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?/We should never be discouraged! Take it to the Lord in prayer!/Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?/Jesus knows our every weakness–Take it to the Lord in prayer!/ Are we weak and heavy laden, Cumbered with a load of care?/Precious Savior, still our Refuge–Take it to the Lord in prayer!/ Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer!/In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou wilt find a solace there.” Public domain, Hymnary.org
Scripture tells us over and over again, from Sarai in Genesis to the disciples watching Jesus heal and rise from the dead: Is anything too hard for God? Our faith needs to be tiny as a mustard seed sometimes for God to accomplish great things. I even pray for a parking place when I’m late for an appointment, and for the teeming rain to stop just when I get there. No, God is not a grandpa who keeps us from difficulty, but I can’t help but thing, through my own experience and testimony, that He will guide, direct, and love me through whatever I’ll face today. He’s proven it over and over, so I can attest that “It’s all the Same to God!” Shutterstock image, with permission.
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