02062021 Does God See?

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our all-seeing God. The hymn "Moment by Moment" truly states, "Never a trial that He is not there, Never a burden that He doth not bear, Never a sorrow that He doth not share, Moment by moment, I'm under His care."

Lesson #24. It can seem that God is ignoring our struggle. The operative word is "seem." In truth, God never ignores, but the sense of abandonment can be very strong. Consider the anguish of Job's words. "Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment" (19:7). "Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him" (23:3,8-9). "He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not" (30:19-20).

Job's cries of neglect are repeated and are spread out over many chapters. In the midst of discouragement and weakness, in the face of prolonged suffering, even a very godly man like Job uttered the soul-shaking statements above. Job knew what it was like to fail to see the divine help for which he was crying out. Job knew what it was like to have everything continue just as bad as it was before, and even worse. Job knew the depth of anguish when it seemed like he no longer had a connection or access to God.

This was one area where Job's friends had some truth to offer. They heard what Job was saying, and they confronted him by repeating his words. Eliphaz remembered, "And thou sayest, How doth God know? can he judge through the dark cloud? Thick clouds are a covering to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven'" (22:13-14). In response to Job's assertion that God was so high that He was hidden and inaccessible, Eliphaz acknowledged, "Is not God in the height of heaven? and behold the height of the stars, how high they are! (22:12). Yes, God is high, but that actually places Him above all so that He can see all.

Elihu also confronted Job with his own words. "Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him" (35:14). Elihu knew that the issue wasn't whether Job could see God or not. Job's lost sense of connection did not mean that God wasn't listening or didn't have an answer. To the contrary, God was aware of all the details. Job's case was before God, and God knew exactly what He would do. Job simply needed to wait for Him to declare the answer in His time.

Elihu also gave this reassurance: "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings" (34:21). Job may not have seen God, but God saw Job. So it is with us. We might not see God, but He sees us. God sees every step, every detail. No part of our struggle escapes His view. God is always watching, and He sees everything. God knows what He is doing, and He is working a wonderful plan. Our limitations don't correspond to or create any limitations with God.

Scripture is filled with verses that remind us of this wonderful truth. “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry” (Psalm 34:15). “He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?” (Psalm 94:9).

No matter how dark the night may be, no matter how long the storm lasts, no matter how silent heaven may seem - God is always there. God always sees and always hears. Not a single moan or cry is lost to His ears. Not a moment of our struggle goes unnoticed. How could He possibly ignore His children that He loves so much?

May you be exceptionally aware of His presence this week as He watches over you and walks beside you.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA