LightGrams
November 23, 2023
Volume 27, Number 31
For the past few years I have been involved in prison ministry. A few other men from the church I serve and I visit a state prison in our area. We offer faith-based life skill classes to the men in that facility, and we provide a worship service each Sunday. One unit that we visit is termed “segregated”. These men, for various reasons, are separated from the main prison population.
Prison in general is segregation; people who have been removed from society for a period of time, or sometimes even for life. Some of the incarcerated have a strong support system on the outside, but many do not. Many inmates have not had a family visit in a very long time, and they rarely, if ever, get a letter. “No one cares about me!”, some conclude.
Last Sunday one of our men relayed thanks from two men in that segregated unit: “… they said they really appreciated us coming by each Sunday. It showed them that somebody really cares for them.” Comments like that are what keep us going with our work with the incarcerated.
Psalm 142 was written by David “when he was in the cave”, likely referring to those occasions when King Saul was pursuing him to kill him. It’s hard to imagine how depressed one must be in circumstances like that. David told us how he felt: “Look on my right hand and see, for there is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul” (Psalm 142:4).
Was David’s assessment accurate, or did that statement come from agitated emotions? Isaiah 41:10 is one of many passages that tell us how God regards His people: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Look at that phrase again: “I am with you.” Why would God promise to be with them? Because He cares.
Earlier in Isaiah a prophecy was given that affects you and me: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Matthew, in reporting the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, gives us the meaning of that name: “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
“God with us” – could it really be true? Hebrews 13:5 affirms the promise to all who follow His Son, Jesus Christ: “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you’.”
Why would God come down to earth in human form, suffer the same things we suffer, and then willingly submit to a horrible death on a cross? “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). What does all of this mean? Somebody cares. He continues to care. And that truth can make all the difference in how we feel.
Today is Thanksgiving in America. If you’re looking for a reason to give thanks, start with this: “He cares for me!”
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2023, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990, Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
“LightGrams” is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall, minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to “[email protected]” (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address above, or call (423) 282-1571.
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