What Does God See in You?

Chapter Focus: God’s eye is always upon us (Psalm 32:8). Is that hard to believe? Does this inspire you with a profound respect for God? Imagine that! The Lord, looking over His shoulder at you, smiling gently at the childlike, silly thing you just did, counting the hairs on your head (Luke 12:17). God beholds you. Me! That is unbelievable. It puts into perspective the pettiness of worldly honors, doesn’t it?

Likewise, encountering Jesus in our souls should inspire us to possess perfect security and confidence in Him. And where else can I be as secure as under the Wings of my beloved Savior (Luke 13:34)? Let us lift up our hearts to Him.

So, when I ponder these things, how dare I offend Him? How dare I generate a tear of sadness in that watchful eye.

When I behold God, contemplate His existence, His love, His goodness: how can I be discouraged? I can’t begin to count His many perfect qualities. The challenge comes in determining this: Do I love God for His infinite perfect qualities rather than for the mercies and blessings I receive from Him?

But since God is my Father, do I even have to ask this question? Can’t I do both, running into His arms in confidence because He is Goodness itself (Luke 15:20)? Am I not secure in His care and protection (Luke 23:43)? Isn’t it true that God knows, conducts, and arranges everything for my salvation (Romans 8:28; Rev 2:7)?

It is in God’s mercy that we receive Jesus, Who forgives my sins even though they are great, thereby displaying His power of mercy and forgiveness. He allows us to love Him, wants us to love Him. He has the power to take our life but desires to save us. 

So, why complain about anything?

Chapter 41, In Short. 

1. Do not take it to heart if you see yourself despised while others are honored and exalted.

2. In sinful blindness, we are quickly seduced by vanity; we have no reason to complain.

Scripture Memory Prayer: “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Question: What does God see in you?

Key Quote: “Lift up your heart to Me in heaven….”

The text of Chapter 41: The Contempt of All Temporal Honor.

The Voice of Christ:

“My Child, if you see others honored and exalted, and yet see yourself despised and humbled, do not take it to heart. Instead, lift up your heart to Me in heaven, and then you will not be concerned with the condemnation you receive on earth.”

The Voice of the Disciple:

2. Lord, we are in blindness and are quickly seduced by vanity. If I look accurately within myself, I have nothing to complain about in front of You since no creature ever did me an injury. But because I have seriously sinned many times against You, all creatures can justly take arms up against me. So while confusion and contempt are justly due to me, only You deserve praise and honor and glory. And unless I prepare myself for this, namely, to be willing that every creature should despise and desert me, and that I should be esteemed altogether as nothing, I cannot be inwardly filled with peace and strength, nor spiritually enlightened, nor wholly united to You.