We live in a cruel world. The god of this world is a cruel taskmaster. (John 10:10) Many people have been abused and abandoned in some way. Some feel unwanted, unnoticed, or rejected and thrown away. But there is one who sees and cares – God is the God who sees and to Him you are precious. (Romans 5:6-8; Psalm 139:12, 17; Mark 6:47-48)

In the Old Testament, when God wanted to illustrate his love and plan of salvation, He asked Abraham to lay his son of promise on the altar and offer him as a sacrifice. Abraham obeyed and as he began to take his son’s life, God stopped him and provided a substitute sacrifice, a lamb caught in the briars and thorns. God revealed Himself to Abraham as Jehovah-jireh – the Lord will see or provide. (Genesis 22:8-14) He is the God who sees our need of salvation and has made provision through His only begotten son. (John 3:16)

Before Abraham’s son of promise was born, he fathered a son, at his wife’s insistence, with her bondmaid, Hagar. Ishmael was born but God told Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. They were not to be a part of God’s covenant to bring forth the Messiah. (Genesis 21) Hagar took little Ishmael into the dessert. When they ran out of food and water, Hagar put the boy under a bush and sat down to die. But the God who sees sent an angel to give a message to Hagar and made provision for their needs. When Hagar raised her head she saw a well of cool refreshing water. Ishmael was not God’s covenant plan but he was still precious to God. So are you precious to the God who sees. Paul reminds us that we were “strangers . . . having no hope and without God in the world . . . But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ . . . For He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:11-14 NASB).

Once when Jesus was thronged by people wanting to be touched, healed, and delivered, he was teaching in a crowded house. Four men brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus. When they couldn’t get inside the house, they took him to the roof, tore a hole in the roof, and lowered their friend to Jesus. Notice this insightful statement, “Seeing their faith, Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ‘My child, your sins are forgiven’ . . . Jesus said, ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home’” (Mark 2:1-12 NLT).

Jesus saw three things. First – He saw their FAITH. Faith is the only way we obtain the things of God. (Hebrews 11:1-6) Does God see faith in your heart? (Romans 10:9-10) Second – He saw FORGIVENESS as the first need of this paralyzed man. Sin will paralyze and keep you from the abundant and eternal life of God. Only God through Jesus can forgive your sins. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9-10). Third
– He saw the man’s FEELING of infirmities. (Mark 2:10-11) The scriptures tell us that Jesus is touched with the feeling of our infirmities” (Hebrews 4:15 KJV). He sees and cares. An old gospel song says, “Prayer is the key to heaven but faith unlocks the door.”

Little Tehya became precious to Debbie, Chris, and Taet. God is the God who sees. You are precious to Him. Call to Him in faith. He sees and cares.