I keep saying that I’ve had a weird year, but the reality is that it’s been a weird decade. The years have added up; I’m no longer referencing the last 12 months, but the collective weirdness that has been my entire adulthood. I say weird because it’s not bad, but adulthood has been so much more complicated than I expected when I entered my 20s. The different life stages, job changes and culture and climate of the world around me have been weird. And I’m sure I’m not the only one. 

This has bothered me recently. My inner dialogue said that my work didn’t matter, I wasn’t up to par in the different relational areas of my life and I certainly wasn’t doing enough for God to take notice. This attitude was not producing anything good, and my complaining shifted to crying. 

It was then that God spoke through someone in my life to remind me that I am seen. That He sees me, and that He is proud of me. Not of my work or anything else I could do, but of me. 

It was a simple moment and interaction that completely changed my perspective on what I’m doing and who I am as a child of God. God sees me. He hears me. He will take care of me. 

A Bible Project video on Psalms describes the book of Psalms as a literary temple. When the Israelites were taken into exile by the Babylonians, the book of Psalms served to enter God’s presence and be immersed in the story of God without actually being in the temple. 

We aren’t in exile the same way the Israelites were, but the book of Psalms still serves this same purpose. Through reading, praying and singing the Psalms, we immerse ourselves in God’s story and presence. In Psalm 34:15, we read, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry” (NIV). As someone feeling forgotten, out of place and weird, this verse was a balm to my soul.

I don’t think I’m alone in feeling that way. Life is weird. We create expectations about how we think things should happen or ultimately be, and when our expectations are unmet, we can feel insignificant, inadequate and forgotten.

But those feelings are not from God. God continually reminds us that we are significant because we are His, our adequacy comes from knowing Jesus, not from our work and He will never forsake us. Said more plainly: God sees you. God hears you. God will take care of you.  

The Psalms tell the story of God’s people through poetry and song; they cover a wide variety of emotions and life stages. From Psalms of joy and faithfulness, to Psalms of lament and doubt … believers before us have recited these words in song and prayer for many centuries as they navigate life. We can trust that the Psalms will bring comfort to us just as they have for thousands of years before us. 

God sees you. God hears you. God will take care of you. May you take time this month to cry out to Him and experience the goodness of His presence and love.

Dig Deeper:

Check out The Bible Project’s educational videos. They provide historical context and answer common questions about the text, all in a way that is engaging and beautifully crafted. Text a few friends who are also believers to encourage them and remind them that God sees them, God hears them and God will take care of them. You never know who needs that encouragement! 

• February 1: Psalm 1
• February 2: Psalm 2
• February 3: Psalm 3
• February 4: Psalm 4
• February 5: Psalm 5
• February 6: Psalm 6
• February 7: Psalm 7
• February 8: Psalm 8
• February 9: Psalm 9
• February 10: Psalm 10
• February 11: Psalm 11
• February 12: Psalm 12
• February 13: Psalm 13
• February 14: Psalm 14
• February 15: Psalm 15
• February 16: Psalm 16
• February 17: Psalm 17
• February 18: Psalm 18
• February 19: Psalm 19
• February 20: Psalm 20
• February 21: Psalm 21
• February 22: Psalm 22
• February 23: Psalm 23
• February 24: Psalm 24
• February 25: Psalm 25
• February 26: Psalm 26
• February 27: Psalm 27
• February 28: Psalm 28

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for seeing me. When my life feels too complex, or I don’t think I’m worthy of such care, remind me that I am Yours. Amen.  

Inhale: God sees me. Exhale: He will take care of me.  

Flower Illustration by Lan Truong & Verse Illustration by Bea Barros