He Sees, He Hears, He Knows
Notes
Transcript
Text: Exodus 3:2-8
INTRODUCTION:
1) There is a lot of discussion in today’s world about artificial intelligence.
2)There are now apps that can do basically anything you want it to do.
3)You can ask Alexa to look up the weather, traffic, or other searches for you.
4)With those added benefits come the negatives.
5)One negative that is often discussed is the government or other entities using the AI to listen or watch us and to learn about us by what questions we ask the AI.
6) While that is a concern to have, many are not aware that there is One who can see, hear, and know all.
7)From the text for this sermon, Exodus 3:7 says, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”
From this we see- our God sees, he hears, and he knows.
DISCUSSION:
I. HE SEES US.
A.He saw the affliction of the Israelites
He says in verse 7 “I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt.”
He looked upon them with respect (Exodus 2:25).
2 Kings 14:26 says “For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, which was very bitter; for there was neither bond nor free, nor was there any helper for Israel”
God sees everything that happens.
He sees us when we need him.
2 Chronicles 16:9 says “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him.”
The word perfect here does not mean we have to be sinless
Instead, perfect here means complete, such as a complete faith.
So God is searching the earth for his people who need him.
Joshua 1:9 says “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
God is always with us.
This means that he sees everything.
When someone has lost a loved one, they often have an instinct to blame God.
They might be tempted to ask “Where is God?”
This verse answers that question by saying “he is right here.”
The eyes of the Lord are in every place (Proverbs 15:3).
He sees us when we sin.
God sees all and can even see and know the intentions of our heart (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Nothing can be hidden from God, and all will be uncovered (Luke 12:2-3).
His eyes are on us all the time, and He sees everything (Jeremiah 16:17-18).
So when sin is happening, even if you are alone, and no one ever finds out about it, just know that God knows.
He sees us when we serve.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
II. HE HEARS US.
He heard the cries of the Israelites
He says in verse 7, “and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters.”
He heard their groaning and it reminded him of his covenant with Abraham, with Issac, and with Jacob (Exodus 2:24-25).
He does not hide his face from those who are afflicted, he hears them instead (Psalm 22:24).
He hears and answers our prayers
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:”-1 John 5:14
But God does not listen to everyone
We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him.
So God only listens to His children, to those who have done His will.
Sometimes the answer to the prayer is no.
Paul’s thorn in his side is an example of this from 2 Corinthians 12.
Paul asked the Lord three times but was told “my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.(2 Corinthians 12:9)
He also hears us when we fail Him.
God hears our lies.
We are to put away lying (Ephesians 4:25).
Speak the truth to our neighbor (Zac. 8:16).
God hears our immoral tongue
James 1:26 says “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
The word bridleth here in the greek means to restrain, guide, or govern
Our tongue can cause our entire spirituality to be vain.
God hears us not stand up for truth.
We are to “stand fast in the faith” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
The truth shall set us free (John 8:32).
III. HE KNOWS US.
He knew the sorrows of the Israelites
Verse 7 says “for I know their sorrow”.
He knew the suffering His people were facing from Pharaoh.
He knew He would do something to save them.
In verse 8, God tells Moses that He has come down to take them to a better land.
He knows our sorrows too
He puts our tears in a bottle and records them in His book (Psalm 56:8).
He is our rock.
He knows our secret sins.
Psalm 44:21 says “Shall not God search this out?
for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.”
He knows all our ways, better than we do (Psalm 139:3).
CONCLUSION:
Oftentimes in this world, we can feel overlooked.
When we are hurting, we think nobody else sees it, and that nobody else cares, God sees us.
When we are broken down in tears because of sin, or just because of life, God hears.
When we are trying our absolute best, and when we are not, he knows.