Tobit 12:16-22: a reflection

16And they were both troubled, and fell upon their faces; for they were afraid. 17And he said to them, “Don’t be afraid. You will all have peace; but bless God forever. 18For I came not of any favor of my own, but by the will of your God. Therefore bless him forever. 19All these days I appeared to you. I didn’t eat or drink, but you all saw a vision. 20Now give God thanks, because I ascend to him who sent me. Write in a book all the things which have been done.” 21Then they rose up, and saw him no more. 22They confessed the great and wonderful works of God, and how the angel of the Lord had appeared to them.

Throughout the story, Tobit and his son had been helped and guided by a companion they took to be an ordinary traveler; but now he reveals himself as the angel Raphael, sent by God to help them. They had been served all along by God's own messenger, unaware. Raphael tells them not to fear, to bless God, for it was by God's will that he came; and then he ascends. And they give thanks, marveling at the works of God, who had been caring for them through the whole journey in ways they had not seen.

Notice what Tobit and his son discover: that God had been caring for them through unseen means all along. The helper they thought an ordinary companion was God's own messenger, sent to guide and protect them. God's care had been present through their whole journey, though they did not recognize it; only now do they see that they had been served by God's provision unaware. Their eyes are opened to God's hidden care, which had been with them the whole time.

That is a truth worth taking to heart: that God's care is often present in ways we do not recognize. Like Tobit and his son, we may be helped, guided, and protected by God through means we do not see, ordinary events and people that are, unknown to us, God's provision for us. We may only later, if ever, recognize the care that was with us all along. Trust that God's care is present in your life, even when you do not see it, through means you may not recognize as his. And look back, as Tobit and his son did, to see the unseen care that has been with you, and give thanks. God cared for them through the whole journey in ways they only later recognized; he cares for you too, often unseen. Trust his hidden care, look for it in retrospect, and bless him for the provision that has been with you all along, even when you did not recognize it.

Lord, Tobit and his son had been helped and guided by a companion they took to be an ordinary traveler, who now revealed himself as the angel Raphael, sent by you; they had been served by your own messenger all along, unaware, and now they gave thanks, marveling at your works. Take to heart in me the truth they discovered: that your care is often present in ways I do not recognize. Like them, I may be helped, guided, and protected by you through means I do not see, ordinary events and people that are, unknown to me, your provision for me. I may only later, if ever, recognize the care that was with me all along. Help me trust that your care is present in my life, even when I do not see it, through means I may not recognize as yours. And help me look back, as Tobit and his son did, to see the unseen care that has been with me, and give thanks. You cared for them through the whole journey in ways they only later recognized; you care for me too, often unseen. Help me trust your hidden care, look for it in retrospect, and bless you for the provision that has been with me all along, Lord, even when I did not recognize it.