Dear Readers and Listeners, Friends in Jesus Christ,
Our watchword for today is taken from the Book of Genesis, Chapter 16 verse 13, “You are the God who sees me,” (New International Version). The Angel of the Lord appeared to Hagar as she was desperate and alone in the desert after running away because she was ill-treated by her employer. The Angel assured her that she would be looked after and must go back to her home, for she was with child, and this child was to be blessed by the Lord. His Name would be Ishmael, meaning “God hears me”. Then, when Hagar looked again, she saw a well, and could quench her thirst. She called out and said that not only does God hear but God also sees and brings his good outcome and salvation. The Angel of the Lord came to Hagar in her deepest need and told her what would happen with her son in the future. She was given hope and courage to return to her home, despite the circumstances, for she knew that God would intervene on her behalf.
God sees us, and he comes to our aid and allows us to see something of the mysteries of the future and the necessity for our current suffering. Through these assurances of God we are strengthened and receive hope. God’s eyes are on us and our eyes must turn God-ward and look for our help from him. “I lift my eyes to the mountain, where shall my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth,” (Psalm 121 verse 1). In coming to God in prayer and repentance we turn the eyes of our soul heavenwards and receive a heavenly glimpse of God’s grace for us.
Jesus told the parable of two people coming to God in prayer. The one man was just in his own eyes, the Pharisee. He came to God, not needing anything God’s care or forgiveness. The Pharisee was telling God what he did for God, of the good deeds and gifts he brought to the altar. He looked down on his neighbour and thanked God that God did not make him like other people, sinful and needy. The other man, a tax collector, was contrite; his heart was pained as was his conscience, and he needed God to give him new hope and forgiveness. He realized that he was unworthy to even approach God but he threw himself on God’s mercy. “But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying: God be merciful on me, a sinner,” Luke 18 verse 13, (NRSVB). When we come to God with our pain and sorrow for what we have done wrong, he comes to us and tells us, “As far as the east is from the west, so far have I removed your transgression,” Psalm 103 verse 12, (Amplified Bible). However, if one comes to God in self-justification with no need for his mercy or assurance, one will be unable to perceive the darkness in one’s heart and mind. “For the Lord sees not as man sees; for a man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart,” First Book of Samuel, Chapter 16 verse 7, (Amplified Bible).
Two people praying at the altar look from all outward appearances similar. One might be able to differentiate from the way that they are dressed, their social status, and derive from their gestures and facial expression, whether they are sad or joyful. God beholds all this but he sees far deeper and answers those who come to him in humility and honesty, before they have even called and spoken about their needs and wants. When Jesus was hanging on the cross, the two criminals on his right and left; both had the same opportunity to humble themselves and ask him, “Lord, have mercy on me!” And the one who came and asked for mercy was given the promise of paradise. Jesus is the Lord who hears and sees us in our pain and sorrow and says: Come unto me!
Father, we thank you that you hear and see us. Help us to turn our eyes to you, Amen.