As I sit here nestled up on the couch on this cold autumn, feels like winter, kind of day- I am getting that feeling again.  The feeling of relief and satisfaction, mixed with bits of sentimental sadness, that another blog series is coming to a close in the near future; only five days left.  And, I also have decided to take the month of November off from blogging and social media, except for November 19th when I am linking up with (in)courage.  That will feel weird but freeing too.  Wanting to be more available to my family, be fully prepared for the play and maybe make some time to read and scrapbook again.

As we look at Isaiah 40:27, I am struck by the phrases, “my way is hidden and (it) escapes the notice of God.”  Why do they, or we, say this?  Ever.  I know sometimes it can feel this way; but it is not true.  As much as we might like it to be sometimes, our way is not hidden from the LORD.  And the justice due us does not escape His notice.

So, as I sit here, trying to take the chill off under “red cozy”, a favorite plush blanket of mine, I am reminded afresh that God is “El Roi”- the God Who Sees.  Even if nobody else reads this series, He sees.  Even if no one else knows the way I judged her parenting style, He knows.  Even if they don’t acknowledge your daily sacrifice, He does.  Even if you secretly ate yourself sick, in an effort to numb the pain, He understands the hurt.

You see?  He Sees.

This might make us really nervous; that He sees our sin and knows all about it- ever ugly nook and hidden cranny.  But, it should also be a great comfort; that we do not escape His notice.  He knows the tough situations we are in, the fears we carry, the challenges we face.  He knows, He is aware, He has His eye on us (don’t picture this kind of eye, unless it helps- but maybe this one instead).

In Genesis 16 we see, in verse 13, that Hagar “…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.'”  

Hagar was in a difficult situation, and what did she do?  She fled.  Isn’t that often our natural tendency?  “Get me out of here, this is too painful, too hard.”  BUT.  God found her, right there in her hurt and in her need.  He met her right there.  He saw her; saw right into her situation, into her heart.  I think she was comforted by His knowing (of her circumstance and how she was feeling).  Comforted that she was not forgotten or abandoned; but that He saw, not only her situation, but He saw her.

There is a great line from the movie Avatar that says, “I see you.”  It is a simple, yet profound, statement that communicates deep love and understanding.  Chaos and loss were present, yet, between two of the main characters (one earthly and another unearthly) a beautiful exchange took place- they locked gazes and communicated this idea of “no matter what, no matter how bad things seem or become, we are in this together and I am for you; I know you and love you.  I see you.”

Do you hear the LORD saying that to you today? Do you believe that He is El Roi, the God Who Sees?

I remember… walking up the stairs, in the dark, quietly slipping into the nursery- the one with the empty crib; sitting down softly in the rocking chair.  And I would rock, slowly, and cry sometimes, and my arms would ache.  Where was this baby, this Isaac, this promised one?  And even there, in the waiting, in the dark, in the weakness and hurt; He saw.

He regarded me and saw me in my estate, just as much then as He does now; with babe in arms.  He is God, El Roi.  He does not have a seeing problem; we do.  His vision is perfect; ours impaired by the disease of sin, of weakness.  Do not lament your temporary cloudy vision, but trust the perspective of the One who sees it all- all of time- past, present and future.  Allow Him, acquainted with all your ways, to instruct you and lead you forth.

Psalm 32:8  “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Deep Breaths:

2.  Check out these verses and make a simple list about what you learn about this God Who Sees.

3.  What was your response to the song You Know Me?  Take a few quiet moments to reflect upon what He is stirring within.