Commentary: He can see you

Todd Gaddis

You can’t see God, but He can see you. And in addition to seeing you, He loves you, cares for you, and is always there for you.”

Tucked away in a lesser known book in the Old Testament are the following verses:

“The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For all His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; 

Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22.23 NASB). 

Written by the “weeping prophet,” Jeremiah, these words were originally directed to the Jews as they faced onslaught from the Babylonians, especially the destruction of Jesusalem (around 587 BC). That said, these words are just as applicable today as they were over 2500 years ago, offering a message of comfort, hope and strength. Ponder again these lines, focusing on the following:

God’s love: His lovingkindness never ceases. If only one word could be used to describe Him, it would be love. As the Bible says, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The ultimate demonstration of that love came when He gave His Son Jesus on the cross as payment for our sin (John 3:16). 

A poor farmer once had a weather vane on top of his barn, on which were inscribed these words, “God is love.” One day, a cynical, hard-hearted neighbor dropped by for a visit. Seeing the weather vane spinning in the wind, he sarcastically said, “You mean to say your God is as changeable as the wind.” “No,” said the peasant, “What I mean to say is that no matter which way the wind blows, GOD IS LOVE.”

There’s nothing you can do to cause Him to love you any more, and nothing you can do to make Him love you any less. Take a moment to bask in such love.

God’s compassion- Despite the idolatry and disobedience on the part of His people during that time, God’s care and concern continued, just as it does today. When you’re hurting, He hurts along with you. He’s got your back…He feels your pain. “Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:13). 

Jesus possessed and continually demonstrated that same emotion. Walking among the people along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, “He saw a large crowd, and He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd…” (Mark 6:34).

He then proceeded to feed the 5000 present with a lad’s lunch of five loaves and two fish.  

As recipients of such compassion from God, we should do all we can to pass it along to others. According to German theologian Albert Schweitzer, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.” Paul penned, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion…” (Colossians 3:12). 

God’s faithfulness-  One of His key characteristics is immutability, which is a fancy way of saying He is unchanging. Unlike humans, who are prone to be hot and cold, up and down, here today/gone tomorrow, God is always there -consistent and constantly able to be relied upon. It’s comforting to know that in the midst of an ever-changing world, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). 

One night, when his house caught fire, a young boy was forced to escape to the roof. Standing on the ground below, with arms outstretched and knowing this was the lad’s last chance of survival, the father called out, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” Seeing only flames, smoke, and blackness, the terrified boy wouldn't move. When the dad again yelled, “Jump! I will catch you,” the son responded, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” “But I can see you,” assured the father, “and that’s all that matters.” 

You can’t see God, but He can see you. And in addition to seeing you, He loves you, cares for you, and is always there for you.

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Todd Gaddis is a semi-retired minister living in Athens. He continues to serve as an interim pastor and can be reached at jtoddgaddis@gmail.com.