I was up early praying for friends who have lost loved ones over this pandemic, friends struggling with cancer and other significant health issues, and some significantly struggling in this economy, when I caught myself singing the song Does Jesus Care. Written in 1901 by Frank E. Graeff, this song has been sung all over the world in many languages. Its popularity remains as it speaks to significant moments in life where, as followers of Christ, we need a word of encouragement. As Jerry Bridges encouraged us to preach the Gospel to ourselves, there is a major need for us to sing the Gospel to ourselves as well – truthful lyrics rightly applied to our own hearts and situations.
The Apostle Peter said to the humble to “cast all their cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”
The Apostle Paul asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Rom 8:35). Paul then calls us more than conquerors and writes,
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)
As I have prayed for those in our church family this morning along with family and for friends, I am encouraged by the words of this song. Below I have arranged the four verses together as a series of questions and then followed those with the refrain which answers the inquiry.
The answer:
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 Savior cares.
Does Jesus Care?
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?
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?
Refrain:
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 Savior cares.
Sing to Yourself These Great Lyrics of Truth
King David asked, “How long oh God?”
The disciples wondered if Jesus cared when they thought they were going to drown.
Moses struggled. Jeremiah. Others.
If today you need this reminder, just know that you are one of many over the years who wondered. The answer is always the same: Oh yes, He cares.
Here are various artists singing this very old hymn. Some sing all four verses, others pick and choose.