God Sees Everyone

Scripture:
But I know your sitting down,
your going out and your coming in,
and your raging against me.
2 Kings 19:27

Observation: Assyria has destroyed Israel and arrived to do the same to Judah, King Hezekiah prays, and Isaiah reveals the Lord's response. Yes, protection will come that very night when 185,000 soldiers just die in their sleep and Assyria is forced to withdraw, never to return. However, the response given as a message to the king of Assyria is less about military protection, and much more about the sovereign control of Yahweh.

God says that yes, the king brags about all he has accomplished, but certainly he must know that all he has done was God's plan. More than that, God's knowledge of the king is personal. God knows everything he does ... how he goes about during his days, when he leaves his tent and when he returns, and even all the raging he declares against the Lord himself. God sees those who seek him, but he sees the evil people opposed to him as well.

Application: We had another minor issue yesterday with a person coming to our church and seeking to hold fort for their own agenda, and to be honest I am just exhausted by it. Even if she was seeking God's love for others, she chooses to do so by fighting publicly, appealing to human governments, and creating angst for believers in Jesus. I am sure she isn't evil, but she used lies to oppose pastors in order to advance her cause and engage in a secular fight.

And God sees her. The greatest comfort that has ever been spoken to me by the Lord in my entire life ... applies the same to literally everyone. It applies to the very good and the very bad, to the very honest and to the very evil. It isn't just that it applies to me when I am being good and bad, in need or in comfort.

Of course, that sentiment - that the Lord sees me - can be a comfort, a threat, a challenge, a reminder, a conviction, or a blessing. Personally, I wish it were always a comfort and blessing, but that is dependent on me and knowing when I am and am not acting in a manner that would please God as he sees me. Still, this promise I claim, and the joy I get from being reminded that the Lord sees me and guides my life, isn't just not unique to me ... it isn't special for faithful believers. The Lord sees those who are angry and violent, who are confused and conflicted, who are mislead in their approach to good. He sees them all the same.

My greatest comfort is the status quo for wonderful saints, tyrannical kings, heartbroken servants, social cause warriors, middle-aged nobodies ... the list goes on.

Prayer: Lord, I pray for Debbie's friend. I know you see her. I doubt she is evil, but she sought conflict, used deception, and refused your authority. And she is equal in your eyes, worthy of love, one of your created. May she find a better peace in you today. Amen.