What other scriptures highlight God's awareness of human suffering and evil? Seeing the Coming Suffering—2 Kings 8:12 “Elisha answered, ‘I know the evil you will do to the Israelites. You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.’” (2 Kings 8:12) • Elisha’s tears show that God already knew—down to graphic detail—the horrors Hazael would unleash. • The verse reminds us that the Lord is neither ignorant of nor indifferent to human cruelty. He Hears Every Cry • Exodus 3:7 — “The LORD said, ‘I have indeed seen the affliction of My people… I have heard them crying out… and I am aware of their suffering.’” • Psalm 94:9 — “Does He who affixed the ear not hear? Does He who formed the eye not see?” • James 5:4 — “…the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.” God’s awareness is active: He sees, He hears, and He notes every wrong done. He Records Every Tear • Psalm 56:8 — “You have taken account of my wanderings; put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?” • Psalm 34:18 — “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.” • Psalm 147:3 — “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Nothing evaporates into thin air; even tears are kept in His “bottle,” showing personal, tender concern. He Shares the Pain of His People • Isaiah 63:9 — “In all their distress, He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them.” • Isaiah 53:3-4 — Messiah is called “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief… He took on our infirmities and carried our sorrows.” • Hebrews 4:15 — “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” • John 11:35 — “Jesus wept.” The Lord does more than notice; He emotionally enters into our suffering. He Confronts Evil and Injustice • Habakkuk 1:13 — “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; You cannot tolerate wrongdoing.” • Amos 5:12 — “For I know your crimes, your many sins…” • Psalm 10:14 — “But You have seen it, for You observe mischief and grief to repay it with Your hand.” Not only does God perceive evil, He promises just recompense. He Comforts with Future Hope • Revelation 2:9 — “I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich!” • Revelation 21:4 — “‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away.” • 1 Peter 5:7 — “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” Awareness culminates in action: present care and ultimate restoration. Living in the Light of His Awareness • Because God already sees every wrong (2 Kings 8:12), we can trust Him with our own wounds. • Since He registers each tear, we need never fear being overlooked. • As He promises final justice, we may resist the temptation to seek vengeance ourselves and instead rest in His timing. |
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