Only in the past couple years has a new book by Elisabeth Elliot been published. In September 2022, the first ever edition of Heart of God: 31 Days to Discover God's Love for You was published, 7 years after the author's death.
The devotional has an interesting story behind it. It was found completely by accident when the Elisabeth Elliot Foundation was going through her Word documents. She had written during a period of years, 1988-2001, when she was broadcasting on a radio station called Gateway to Joy.
I received this devotional for Christmas, and began reading the beginning of this month. It has loads of wisdom to share and I wanted to share some of it with you. I highly encourage you to get the book yourself.
The Caring Heart of God
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
Do you ever have those days when you wonder if anyone cares for you? You can be certain that the heart of God cares for you. God's heart is tender and loving. God cares for us when no one else seems to be concerned. When you and I offer our fears, worries, adn anxieties to God, we give Him the opportunity to demonstrate how marvelously caring His heart really is, and we allow God to show us how deeply He cares for us.
Peter tells us to "cast" all our cares. This word carries with it the idea of deliberately depositing a burden upon someone or something else. If we were to do that to another person, that person might feel like we were imposing. But it is not so with God. Peter tells us to actually cast it or throw it upon God, who will never fell imposed upon because He cares for us.
Have you humbly opened your heart to Him? Have you taken your worries to Him? Have you accepted the outpouring of loving care that flows from God's heart? If not, then today is the perfect time to do so. Cast your cares upon God and leave them there. When you do, you will experience relief like a heavy load has been lifted from your shoulders. And it has, because the heart of God cares for you.
"If you wish to leave much wealth to your children, leave them in God's care." -John Chrysostom
"A life spent in the service of God and communion with Him is the most pleasant life that anyone can live in this world." -Matthew Henry
"Cast your cares on God; that anchor holds." -Alfred, Lord Tennyson
"Praise the Father for His loving kindness; tenderly cares He for His erring children. Praise Him." -Elizabeth R. Charles
"The work of the Spirit of God is not only to save souls but also to care and cultivate the face of the earth, the material world." -Timothy Keller
God, Your loving care for me is deeper than I can imagine. Thank You for caring about me when no one else seems to. I will open my heart to You, and I will return Your love today, tomorrow, and throughout eternity. Amen
