“O Lord you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand u. You know my thoughts even when I'm far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.” PSALM 139:1-3, NLT

He Says I Am... Known and Seen

We all crave to be acknowledged and understood. It is a fundamental need that moves beyond the fleeting desires for social media validation through more "follows" and "likes" or even for fame. This longing to feel seen and known stems from a deep-seated need to matter to someone, regardless of our circumstances. However, when we feel overlooked or unheard, the resulting pain runs deep, often leading to isolation or avoidance from people and from God.

One of the most profound illustrations of God's All-Knowing nature is found in the story of Hagar in the book of Genesis. Hagar, an Egyptian servant, found herself in a desperate situation after being mistreated and despised by her mistress, Sarai. Fleeing into the wilderness, alone and destitute, Hagar encountered the Angel of the Lord, who spoke to her, revealing that He had seen her affliction, and He promised to bless her descendants.

In this narrative, we witness God's intimate knowledge of Hagar's circumstances. He saw her pain, heard her cries, and provided for her needs. Hagar acknowledged Him as El Roi meaning "the God who sees." She responded by giving God a name: "You are the God who sees me" (Genesis 16:13, NLT). In the midst of her despair, Hagar discovered that she was not forgotten but deeply known by the God who sees all.

Similarly, the story of Nathanael's encounter with Jesus in the Gospel of John demonstrates God's All-Seeing nature. When Philip invited Nathanael to meet Jesus, Nathanael was skeptical, asking, "Can anything good come from Nazareth"(John 1:46, CEB)? Yet, as soon as Nathanael approached Jesus, he was amazed to hear Jesus declare, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree” (John 1:48, CEB).

In this moment. Nathaniel realized that Jesus knew him intimately, even before they met. Jesus' knowledge of Nathanael's whereabouts and thoughts convinced him of Jesus’ divine nature. Like Nathanael, we are reminded that God not only Sees our physical presence but also perceives the deepest desires and concerns of our hearts.

The implications of God's All-knowing and All-Seeing nature are profound for our identity as His children. In a world that often measures worth by external standards, we find security in knowing that our value is not determined by what others see or know about us but by the God who intimately sees and knows us. We are not defined by our past mistakes, insecurities, or achievements but by our relationship with a loving and attentive God. We are ENOUGH because He declares us so.

Like Hagar, we can find comfort in knowing that we are seen and known by the God who hears our cries and provides for our needs. Like Nathanael, we can discover the wonder of the depth that God knows who we are. Understanding the character and nature of God as our All-Knowing and All-Seeing God offers a new perspective into our own identity and purpose. We are reminded that we are seen, known, and deeply loved by a God whose understanding is beyond comprehension. May we find comfort and confidence in knowing that we are ENOUGH in His sight.

Further Reading: Genesis 16; John 1:43-51

If you would like to be able to do a complete study of Chapter Three, order a copy of Enough by contacting Empowered Women's Ministry at empoweredwomen@pcg.org or 817.554.5900 ext. 371. Available also at pcg.org/resources or Amazon.