Scripture
The Lord looks down from heaven; he sees all the children of man;
— Psalm 33:13 (ESV)
Devotional
Perhaps no figure of speech represents God in a more gracious light than when he is spoken of as stooping from his throne, and coming down from heaven to attend to the wants and to behold the woes of mankind. We love him, who, when Sodom and Gomorrah were full of iniquity, would not destroy those cities until he had made a personal visitation of them. We cannot help pouring out our heart in affection for our Lord who inclines his ear from the highest glory, and puts it to the lip of the dying sinner, whose failing heart longs after reconciliation. How can we but love him when we know that he numbers the very hairs of our heads, marks our path, and orders our ways? Specially is this great truth brought near to our heart, when we recollect how attentive he is, not merely to the temporal interests of his creatures, but to their spiritual concerns. Though leagues of distance lie between the finite creature and the infinite Creator, yet there are links uniting both. When a tear is wept by thee, think not that God doth not behold; for, “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” Thy sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah; thy whisper can incline his ear unto thee; thy prayer can stay his hand; thy faith can move his arm. Think not that God sits on high taking no account of thee. Remember that however poor and needy thou art, yet the Lord thinketh upon thee. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him. Oh! then repeat the truth that never tires; No God is like the God my soul desires; He at whose voice heaven trembles, even he, Great as he is, knows how to stoop to me.
Reflection
God does not sit so high that your tear becomes invisible. He stoops. He numbers hairs. He marks paths. He puts His ear to the dying sinner’s whisper for reconciliation. Infinite distance, real links. Your sigh can move His heart; your prayer can stay His hand; your faith can move His arm. The gospel is not that you climbed into His notice. It is that the Lord who looks from heaven already thinks upon the poor and needy—and shows Himself strong for those whose heart is toward Him.
Goad
Are you still praying this morning as if God were too far to see you, instead of trusting the Father who already looks down in pity?
Tie-In
Morning rests under the eyes that behold all the sons of men. Evening keeps sending the servant up Carmel: Go again. Seen by God; then persistent with God. Attention and importunity meet in the same Lord.
Closing
Spurgeon’s classic text with a brief reflection to help today’s reader.
If these words have stirred something, sit with it.
NewGrapes Ministries. Making disciples, not pew-fillers. Soli Deo Gloria.