Seeing The One Who Sees

Sometimes, we find light in the darkest of places.

In January, I read the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes, and I came to this verse.

Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:

I saw the tears of the oppressed—

and they have no comforter;

power was on the side of their oppressors—

and they have no comforter.

Eccles 4.1

You may not believe me but I actually found this verse extremely encouraging.

Here’s why.

First of all, there’s something wholesome about simply hearing the truth being stated. It’s good to hear the world described as it really is. In truth, this is part of our creation mandate. God gave Adam the job of naming the animals in Genesis 2.19-20. God’s representative, describing the created world, categorising, giving things a name—that’s the start of the scientific project right there. Not just science but art too. This is what good art does well. It helps us to recognise the truth of something that otherwise might be unexpressed. Doesn't it make your spirit soar when you read something in a poem, maybe, or a novel, that makes you think ‘Yes, that’s exactly how it is!’?

It is good when art or science describes reality accurately.

That’s because truth matters. A lot.

However, when we read this verse in Ecclesiastes, something more is happening. It’s not just the writer of Ecclesiastes saying it as it is. The Lord himself is articulating this truth in his word. So, as I came to this section, with my own heart heavy from all the injustice and evil in the world, I sensed God saying, ‘I see. I know.’ God isn’t blind to all the pain and struggle in his world.

In Ecclesiastes, he tells us that he sees it all, and he knows about all of it.

As I write, there’s a steady drip-drip of further revelations from the released Epstein files. It’s shocking to think of what went on, and who might have known about it. It’s infuriating to think of all that has not yet been released or revealed, some of it possibly held back deliberately or hidden away. We cannot see and may never know.

But God sees; God knows.

That doesn’t make it any better for the victims, not at all. None of the dreadful things that are still happening in the world stopped happening after I read that verse. I know that such things will continue to happen right up until Jesus returns. Yet none of it goes unseen by our heavenly Father. That thought lifted up my heart. It gave me hope and strengthened me for the journey ahead.

HAGAR

Remember Sarah’s maidservant Hagar, in Genesis 16? Cruelly used, abused, sexually exploited by Sarah and Abraham, she was then sent away by her jealous mistress. After she’d run off into the desert, the angel of the Lord found her and encouraged her to return. He also promised innumerable descendants.

We then read this beautiful verse.

She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Gen 16.13

I see you.

Sometimes, it is just so good to hear that God sees and knows. It matters that we’re noticed. Often in life we may feel that we go unseen, yet God never, ever overlooks us.

He always sees us. He knows us.

BEING SEEN

A friend of mine has a daughter, who was abandoned by her partner, after they’d had a son together. Since that time, she has gone through some very dark times. Now, however, she’s married to a man who takes his responsibilities as a step-father very seriously. My friend informed me that he’d told his new son-in-law, ‘I see you’. It was just a simple expression of care, but it communicated his appreciation for the young man’s time and effort in caring for his grandson, even though he isn’t the boy’s biological father.

Many of us in pastoral ministry have times when we feel helpless and inadequate in the face of so much pain and suffering. It’s in those moments that we need to remember that by drawing near and coming alongside people, we are giving a meaningful testimony to our God. As we offer ourselves to others, as we draw near, we mirror our God who also draws near, who is with us. Always.

When we do this, we show them that we see them. We hear them. They matter. And that offers more encouragement than we can imagine.

SEEING THOSE WHO SERVE

What is the best way to encourage those who serve in church? Though we may offer words of affirmation, the response is sometimes, ‘I don’t want praise’. However, though they may not want to be thanked during a Sunday service, I believe every person needs encouragement. They need to know that they’re seen. There’s no requirement to do this in a flowery or showy way, but it’s good to communicate to all who serve that their service doesn’t go unnoticed.

We see them and we appreciate them.

When we do this, we are pointing them to the God who sees them too. And loves them.

And though we may feel inadequate at times, let us never forget that we serve the God who sees, who hears, who is never removed and distant.

For we serve the One who sees us. And knows us.

The One who draws near.