Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:26-28)

Several years ago, a publisher was putting together a Baptist hymnal. So they organized a committee and were picking the songs to put in the new hymn book. And they had theologians and pastors and musicians and all kinds of folks on this committee.

They were talking about that old song, In the Garden, and debating whether or not it ought to be in the new hymnal. You may have heard the lyrics, “He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.”

Now, one of the theologians on that committee was complaining about the hymn. He said, “It's just too selfish! ‘He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.’”

So Russell Dilday, who was President of Southwestern Seminary, opened his Bible and began to read Psalm 23, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake…”

Well, it turned out that old hymn made it into the Baptist hymnal!

God is not just the great King of the universe. He’s also a close friend who cares about you personally. So when it seems like no one cares, remember God loves you and cares for you in a personal way!

God is a personal God. So when it seems like nobody cares, remember He loves you personally.