Every Sunday I drive an overloaded car full of former street kids to church. While I try to navigate the crazy Kampala roads, the boys are constantly demanding my attention.

“Look over there, Auntie Rox!” one shouts, “That’s where we used to find scrap to sell.” “See those men?” adds another. “They beat me and stole my shoes!” “I used to sleep on that sidewalk,” a third boy shares. “The (Ugandan) President often comes down this road. I thought if he saw my condition, he would do something about it.”

The third boy’s longing to be seen—so that his circumstances might improve—struck me profoundly, reminding me of people throughout Scripture who believed that God’s awareness of their situation was mandatory for their deliverance. King David, for example, when his own son Absalom was trying to kill him, said to his advisor and servants, “Perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wronged and will bless me because of these curses today” (2 Samuel 16:12).

Then there’s Hezekiah who, when the pressure mounted, pleaded, “Bend down, O Lord, and listen! Open Your eyes, O Lord, and see!” (Isaiah 37:17). Nehemiah cried out to God for mercy, exclaiming, “Look down and see me praying night and day for Your people Israel” (Nehemiah 1:6). And, Daniel, who found himself and the Israelites in yet another tight spot, lifted up a similar petition. “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open Your eyes and see our despair” (Daniel 9:18).

Even though David, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, and Daniel didn’t sense God’s eyes upon them, He was perfectly aware of their trials (Psalm 33:13-14). In His intentional and flawless timing, He brought them from tough situations to places of safety and rejoicing. Give Him your challenges today.