I could stare at her all day. Our daughter shared this in a text a few days after giving birth to her daughter.
This got my wife Kristy thinking, Is this the way with God? Are we so valuable and precious to Him that He enjoys “staring at us all day?”
That is not how we typically think of God. We tend to emphasize our unworthiness, the ugliness caused by our sin, our selfishness, our pride. But while the ugliness of our sin is real, it doesn’t seem to thwart our Creator’s desire or love for us.
Peter, quoting David’s words in Psalm 34:15, reminds his readers, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer.” 1 Peter 3:12a This seems to put a condition of God’s attending to us. We need to be righteous first, then God pays attention to us.
And yet, we know, at least theologically so, that this is not the way with God. Paul reminds us, While we were yet/still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8b. This is in the context of God loving us first.
Back to David. Psalm 139 says that the personal God known as Yahweh searches, knows, discerns, searches out, is acquainted with everything about us, before we do it, say it or even think it. And there is NO place we can hide from His Spirit, nor a place that His light does not penetrate the deepest darkness, including the darkness of our desires and brokenness.
I continue with the words Kristy wrote to our children and grandchildren:
- You are a blessing to me.
- I receive great joy in seeing you, in hearing you.
- You are ALWAYS in my thoughts, in my heart.
- I am interested in all that you do, your experiences, your joys, your troubles.
- I would do most anything for you.
If I, an imperfect human parent, love you like this, how much more does the LORD love, care, find joy in you?
He assures us . . .
To all who received Him (the One through Whom the world was made; the Light of Life), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26
How great is the love that the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are. 1 John 3:1
Seek Him. Pour out your heart to Him. Bring your requests, your fears, your anxieties to Him. Know that His eyes are on you, and His ears are attentive to your cry. He knows what you need. He is good and He works for your good.
All I can say is, Amen!
The Father delights in simply looking at you. Let’s not hide, but confess openly the sin He already knows in us, receiving His forgiveness and life in His Son. Let us return His gaze and learn to delight in Him.
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance (face) upon you and give (place to) you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26
Randy (and Kristy) Jaspers
Northern Plains Regional Minister