“When Jesus saw her weeping…” (John 11:33a)
Have you been in a season of struggle or found yourself wondering whether God really knows all you are facing today? Are you wrestling with the disconnect between what you know to be true of God and what you are experiencing in the here and now? Are you tempted to question whether he really knows or to slip into thinking you are alone in your pain and sorrows? I know I struggle in all of these ways. This week has been a tough one. As we dwell on those thoughts, we are robbed of our peace and our hope in the goodness of God.
The account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead reveals to us his power to overcome death, but it also gives us a beautiful picture of God’s attentive, watchful heart towards his children. He knew Lazarus would die, and he grieved along with Mary and Martha and their community. He was not aloof or detached. He was not uncaring or distant. He knew where Lazarus was laid, yet he asked, “Where have you laid him?”
There is a beautiful parallel to this account in the story of Hagar in Genesis 16. Sarah grew impatient for God to keep his promise to grant Abram a son. So she decided to give her servant Hagar to Abraham to bear a son through her.
As the story unfolded, Hagar became pregnant and was mistreated by her mistress, Sarai, who now felt threatened. So she ran away. She felt totally alone. Until “the angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” (16:7-8) Since she isn’t sure where she’s going, she simply responds that she’s running away from her mistress. He tells her to return and promises to bless her son, Ishmael, giving him descendants too numerous to count. (16:9-10)
Hearing this, “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.” (16:13)
The same was true for Mary, and the same is true for us. He is still the God who sees us. He is still the One who knows our weaknesses and hears our cries. He knows our entire story, from beginning to end. And his heart is tender toward us. Praise God that we can draw near to him with confidence, finding mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
He sees you. He hears your cry. And he knows you by name. Wait for him. Hope in him.
Nicole Jiles
Director of Children’s Ministry