5 minute read
Faith and Family
by Donna Whartenby
YOU ARE NOT INVISIBLE *
At times in my life, I have felt unseen. As a teen, I was unpopular, a nobody. I struggled to be visible. At times, I felt alone and discouraged, as if no one cared who I was.
After I became a follower of Jesus Christ, while reading God’s Word, I learned that I was not invisible. Proverbs 15:3 tells us, The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good (NIV). God sees me, and He sees you. He knows you and understands your difficult circumstances. He sees your wounds, brokenness, fears, and desperation. Many attributes describe God’s character and nature: creator, sovereign, promise-maker, ruler of the universe, loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, and omniscient—He knows all and sees all.
Psalm 121:7-8 says, The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (NIV).
The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. PROVERBS 15:3 (NIV)
The Bible tells us about Hagar, a pregnant Egyptian maidservant mistreated by her jealous mistress, who ran away from their camp into the desert where she would not be seen. Psalm 139:7-12 proffers that there is no place to hide where God cannot see us. God sent an angel of the Lord to Hagar to let her know He was near and saw her despair. He understood her circumstances and loved her. The angel told Hagar to return to Abram and Sarai to give birth to her child. God protected and provided for her and her promised son, Ishmael. In Genesis 16:13 (NIV), Hagar calls the Lord “the God who sees me.” El Roi, the God who sees.
God is never blind to our tears. In fact, Psalm 56:8 tells us God keeps track of our sorrows and collects our tears in a bottle. He is not silent to our afflictions and pain, nor is He deaf to our prayers. Believe that God sees your life of loneliness, brokenness, fear, grief, and hopelessness. Trust He is near. As with Hagar, He sees you and hears your cries and prayers. Trust Him to protect and provide when you call on His name. Praise His name in your circumstances. As with Hagar’s abused circumstances, God’s sovereignty turns all things, even suffering, for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Give Him glory despite your circumstances. God answers prayer.
The Scriptures also tell us how God protected and provided for other women in the Bible who experienced suffering. The book of Ruth recounts the needs of Naomi and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, after the men in their family died. Eventually, God provided a husband for the young woman whose child became the lineage of God’s anointed King David, who reigned over the nation of Israel. From David’s line would come Jesus Christ, born to free the world from sin.
Mary Magdalene’s story is written in the New Testament. Jesus delivered Mary from the torment of demons and evil spirits. She would later agonize over the death of her Savior as she watched Jesus crucified on a cross. She was at His tomb three days later, crying, filled with despair and hopelessness, when Jesus, understanding her grief and sorrow, appeared to her and quietly spoke her name. Seeing Christ alive again gave Mary new joy and hope.
I believe and trust in El Roi, the God who sees. He has seen me in my trials, loneliness, and brokenness and met me in my empty places. He knows me because He created my inmost being and knit me together in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13 NIV). He established His plan and purpose for me before I took my first breath.
At one point in my life, I lost my faith in Him and His purpose for my life. I became fearful and later recognized I was in need of rescue. I heard His gentle, quiet voice call my name. The God who sees spoke to me. He said, “YOU are mine,” and He gave me new life. I then knew God’s promises are true (Psalm 145:13).
If you trust in Him, know that the unchanging, invisible God will softly whisper your name. He is near and hears your prayers. He will lift you up with His sovereign power and authority. Moses taught in Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV), “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
God sees your heart, hears your cries, and listens to your prayers. You are not invisible. Come to Him. Call His name and trust in His sovereignty. The God who sees is waiting for you.
With her degree in Education, Donna taught public school, facilitated corporate education, and developed curricula for personal and professional development. Now retired, she teaches Bible studies and is the co-coordinator of Women Encouraging Women, a ministry to encourage women in their walk with Jesus. Donna also sings in the choir and praise team and plays the piano. Donna lives in South Florida with her loving husband, Keith, of over 40 years. They have a son, Bill, who, with his wife, blessed them with three wonderful grandchildren. They love family vacations together to discover God’s creation wherever they go. Donna loves writing for Voice of Truth and is the co-author of Unshakable: God Will Sustain You.
*Inspired by the music video “The God Who Sees” by Kathy Lee Gifford and Nicole C. Mullen at Godwhosees.com
