God's Unfailing Presence: Seeing, Understanding, Remembering Us

 

Summary

In today's world, we often feel the weight of our brokenness, the consequences of the Fall, and the isolation that can come from our struggles. Yet, in the midst of this, we must hold fast to the truth that God sees us, understands us, and remembers us. This is not a mere platitude, but a profound reality that shapes our existence and our relationship with the Divine.God sees us in our entirety. He is intimately aware of our circumstances, our sorrows, and our cries. When we feel unseen by the world, we can be assured that our Heavenly Father is looking upon us with a gaze that penetrates to the very core of our being. He hears our prayers, collects our tears, and is moved by our pleas for help. We are never invisible to God; He is always attentive to our needs.Moreover, God understands us. He is not a distant deity, indifferent to our plight. Jesus, our great High Priest, sympathizes with our weaknesses, having walked in our shoes and experienced life as we do. He knows hunger, weariness, grief, and temptation. This understanding is not abstract; it is deeply personal and empathetic. God validates our experiences and feelings, assuring us that we are not alone in our struggles.Finally, God remembers us. He recalls His promises to us and our acts of faith. He has not forgotten the covenant He made with our forebears, nor has He overlooked the commitments we have made to Him. Our deeds, even those done in secret, are known to God. He cherishes us and holds us close, never letting go of the plans He has for our lives.As we navigate the challenges of life, we must remember that our circumstances do not alter God's character or His commitment to us. We are created in God's image for a relationship with Him, and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. Our experiences, no matter how difficult, cannot change the truth of who God is and how He feels about us.Key Takeaways:- God's gaze upon us is one of deep recognition and understanding. He sees beyond our outward circumstances and perceives the true state of our hearts. This divine sight is a source of comfort and strength, reminding us that we are never truly alone. [41:20]- Our experiences of pain and suffering do not go unnoticed by God. He understands our struggles because He has shared in them through Jesus Christ. This shared experience is a testament to God's profound empathy and His desire to be intimately connected with us in every aspect of our lives. [11:44]- The promises of God are not fleeting or forgettable. He remembers every word He has spoken over our lives, every covenant He has made. This divine memory assures us that God's plans for us are secure and will come to fruition in His perfect timing. [35:49]- Our relationship with God is not based on a distant admiration but on a close, personal knowledge. God desires an intimate connection with us, one where we are fully known and fully loved. This relationship is the foundation upon which we can build a life of faith and purpose. [38:52]- In moments of despair, when we feel overwhelmed by the trials of life, we can take solace in the fact that God is with us. He sits with us in our pain, listens to our cries, and reminds us of His unwavering promises. This presence is a beacon of hope that guides us through the darkest times. [40:14]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Exodus 2:23-25 - "Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage. So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them."
2. Hebrews 4:14-16 - "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
3. Psalm 56:8-9 - "You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; this I know, because God is for me."

#### Observation Questions
1. What did the children of Israel do when they were in bondage, according to Exodus 2:23-25?
2. How does Hebrews 4:14-16 describe Jesus' understanding of our weaknesses?
3. According to Psalm 56:8-9, what does God do with our tears and cries?

#### Interpretation Questions
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God’s awareness of our struggles is a source of comfort and strength? [11:44]
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of God remembering His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the context of our personal lives? [35:49]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between our personal experiences of pain and God’s empathetic understanding through Jesus? [27:59]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt unseen or unheard. How does knowing that God sees and hears you change your perspective on that experience? [11:44]
2. The sermon mentions that God understands our struggles because Jesus experienced life as we do. How can this understanding help you in your current challenges? [27:59]
3. The sermon talks about God remembering His promises and our acts of faith. What is one promise from God that you need to hold onto right now, and how can you remind yourself of it daily? [35:49]
4. When you face moments of despair, what practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God’s presence and promises? [40:14]
5. The sermon suggests that our relationship with God is deeply personal and intimate. What are some ways you can cultivate a deeper relationship with God this week? [38:52]
6. How can you support someone in your life who feels isolated or forgotten, using the truths from this sermon? [11:44]
7. Think about a specific struggle you are currently facing. How can you apply the sermon’s message that God sees, understands, and remembers you to find hope and strength in this situation? [11:44]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Recognition in Our LonelinessGod's gaze upon us is not merely a watchful eye from afar but a profound understanding of our innermost being. In moments when the world seems to overlook us, it is essential to remember that we are fully seen by the One who created us. This divine recognition is not limited to our triumphs and joys but extends to our sorrows, our silent struggles, and our hidden tears. The knowledge that God sees us completely offers a deep sense of comfort and belonging. We are never just a face in the crowd to Him; we are His beloved children, each with a unique story and heart that He knows by name. This truth can transform the way we view ourselves and our circumstances, providing a foundation of worth and value that is unshakable by the world's standards. [41:20]Psalm 139:1-4 (ESV)"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether."Reflection: In what situation have you recently felt unseen or misunderstood by others, and how can recognizing God's intimate knowledge of you change your perspective on that situation?Day 2: Empathy in Shared SufferingOur experiences of pain and suffering are deeply understood by God, not as a distant observer but as one who has shared in our humanity through Jesus Christ. This shared experience is a testament to God's profound empathy and His desire to be intimately connected with us in every aspect of our lives. When we endure hardship, we are not alone; we have a Savior who has walked the path of human suffering and is intimately acquainted with our struggles. This empathy from God validates our feelings and experiences, offering us the assurance that our cries are heard and our pain is known by someone who truly understands. [11:44]Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."Reflection: Can you recall a time when you felt comforted by the knowledge that Jesus understands your struggles? How can this understanding influence the way you approach Him in prayer during difficult times?Day 3: The Certainty of God's PromisesThe promises of God are steadfast and trustworthy. He remembers every word He has spoken over our lives, every covenant He has made. This divine memory assures us that God's plans for us are secure and will come to fruition in His perfect timing. Our deeds and the commitments we make to God are not forgotten; they are cherished and held in the heart of the Divine. In a world where promises can be fleeting and easily broken, the certainty of God's promises stands as a beacon of hope and stability. We can rest in the knowledge that what God has declared over our lives will indeed come to pass. [35:49]Isaiah 49:15-16 (ESV)"Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me."Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are holding onto right now. How does the assurance that God remembers His promises to you provide comfort in your current circumstances?Day 4: Intimacy with the CreatorOur relationship with God is founded on a close, personal knowledge that goes beyond mere acknowledgment. God desires an intimate connection with us, one where we are fully known and fully loved. This relationship is the foundation upon which we can build a life of faith and purpose. Being fully known by God includes our flaws, our fears, and our deepest desires. It is in this intimate knowledge that we find the freedom to be our true selves and the courage to grow into the people God has called us to be. This divine intimacy is not earned by our actions but is a gift of grace, inviting us into a relationship that is both transformative and life-giving. [38:52]1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV)"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."Reflection: How does the knowledge that God desires an intimate relationship with you influence the way you approach Him in your daily life? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship?Day 5: God's Presence in Our PainIn moments of despair, when we feel overwhelmed by the trials of life, we can take solace in the fact that God is with us. He sits with us in our pain, listens to our cries, and reminds us of His unwavering promises. This presence is not a distant watch but a close companionship that offers hope and guidance through the darkest times. God's presence with us is a testament to His love and commitment to us, a reminder that we are never abandoned in our suffering. As we navigate through our trials, we can cling to the truth that God is not only aware of our struggles but is actively present, offering His strength and comfort. [40:14]Psalm 34:18 (ESV)"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."Reflection: When have you felt God's presence most profoundly during a difficult time? What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of God's nearness in your current struggles?

Quotes

"God sees you, God hears you, and he knows you, and that truth should change everything about the way you live your life in the world." [11:44] ( | | )

"God is not some psychic projection or some myth or some legend or some kind of dissonant incorporeal being; he felt, he feels, he knows, he gets it, he understands." [30:28] ( | | )

"God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you're able to bear... you can always look forward to that reality that God knows. God knows. God knows." [40:14] ( | | )

"God knows you intimately, personally... when you understand that God is listening to you, that God hears you, and you commit to him in relationship, then you're going to have that depth of relationship." [38:52] ( | | )

"God saw his people suffering, God heard his cries, he understood their struggles, and he remembered his promises." [34:52] ( | | )

"God Made You, God knows you, he knows what you're capable of even when you don't think you are, even when you don't think you can, he knows you can, he understands." [33:15] ( | | )

"God hears you, he sees you, seek the Lord while he may be found and call on him while he's near, and he promises to answer." [26:11] ( | | )

"God saw the Israelites and took knowledge of them and concerned himself about them, knowing all, understanding, remembering all." [20:24] ( | | )

"God knows what you're going through, God knows what you're dealing with, God is Not indifferent, God is Not Looking away, God is looking at you." [23:12] ( | | )

"God remembers you, your good deeds even the ones done in secret, God remembers, he sees them, he knows them, you're not forgotten." [36:59] ( | | )

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?