Not Mere Statistics
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love. (Psalm 33:18 ESV)
There are times in life when we each feel like an anonymous unknown. It’s a discouraging realization. You’re a statistic—a woman or a man, over forty or under forty, single or married, able-bodied or disabled.
The reality is that few of us feel like Very Important Persons (VIPs), much less are viewed that way by the world at large.
Perhaps this was how Nathanael felt. We’re not told why he was sitting alone under a fig tree, his friend Philip finds him and shares some good news—they have found the Messiah. Nathanael agrees to come and meet Jesus. As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”“How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you. (John 1:47–48)
Even when nobody else seems to be thinking about us, God certainly is! He’s been watching over us our entire lives, even before we were born, and will continue all the way through. Job reflected on this while in the midst of his troubles: “He keeps a close watch on everything I do.” God not only thinks about us, He admires us: “There will be recognition for each person from God,” and “God will rejoice because of you.”
We are not unknown to God. He knows you and me by name. Not mere statistics, but valued. You and me—God’s VIPs. [1]
The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend. - Aiden Wilson Tozer
[1] Activated The VIPs
