The God Who Sees

Water rushes gently over mossy-covered stones, as nearby ferns dance in the breeze. Days turn into weeks; weeks turn into months, and the small waterfall goes on, doing what it does, without a single human eye seeing it or a human hand touching it. It needs no approval or suggestions; it simply continues to do what God designed it to.

I'm sure you've heard the question before: If a tree falls in a forest, and no one is around to hear it, did it make a sound? But have you ever wondered, "How is God glorified by an insect that lives its entire life without ever encountering a human?"

Okay, maybe you haven't wondered that exactly, but I'm sure you've thought something along those lines. How many animals live their entire lives, and no one knows it? How many creeks form and dry, and no one drinks from them? How many stars explode, and no eye sees it?

The truth is, so much happens in this universe that we will never know of.

But God does, and He sees it all.

Not long ago, I wrote about a recent hiking trip where I explored some waterfalls—waterfalls that were well off any trail. God sees, even in places like that, everything that happens. He truly is omniscient and omnipresent; that is, He knows all things and is present everywhere.

This morning, I saw a short clip of Paul Washer discussing how a small flower still glorifies God, even if no one sees it. He went on to explain that, as Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, we ought to be careful not to do our good works to be seen by men. Instead, we know that God, who sees in secret, will reward us according to our work done unto Him.

And this isn't something to skim over. Our work should never be done for the praise of man. Just as the aforementioned waterfall continues to flow day in and day out, glorifying God simply by existing and caring not what man says, we, too, should do good works to honor God, even if no one notices.

In a similar vein, I'm reminded of Hagar and Ishmael. If you're unfamiliar with the story, after God promised Abram and Sarai a son, they took matters into their own hands. Instead of waiting for God to deliver on His promise, they tried to nudge things along. Sarai gave her handmaid to Abram, and she became pregnant. Through a series of unfortunate circumstances, Hagar fled into the wilderness. God met her there and promised that He would multiply her descendants. In response to all of this, she said of God: "'You are a God who sees'" (Genesis 16:13b). She was amazed that she even lived through the experience with God.

Years later, tensions arose again. Hagar and her son Ishmael (now a young man) were sent away. As their provisions dried up, she left him under some bushes and sat a ways away, not wanting to watch him die. But once again, God came to her in the wilderness and proved His watchful care over her and her son.

Think what you will about Hagar and her son, but this story shows us the compassion of God in the face of the bitter hardships of life. And it shows us something about God—He sees.

Just as He sees the colony of ants that lives out its day in a forest, oblivious to mankind, He sees the sorrows of our hearts, the weakness of our minds, and the struggles of our sin. And He meets us there, ready and willing to comfort, strengthen, and forgive.

When no one else is aware, He is.

It is a reminder that when we are in those wilderness places to call out to Him (Genesis 21:16c).

The same God who directed Hagar's eye towards the nearby well (Genesis 21:19) can help us direct our eyes to Him who gives living water, God Himself.

And as we struggle through life, may we remember that just as a hidden waterfall may never be seen, its effects are felt by those downstream who drink of its water. Similarly, people may not see our work directly, but that which is done unto the Lord, by His might, and for His kingdom, will be felt by many. God knows what we're doing

As we suffer in the wilderness and our good works feel pointless, may we also remember that God is a God who sees.