So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Genesis 16:13, ESV
As I write this, I’m sitting in my hospital bed all hooked up to multiple wires and machines…again. More testing. My head has over 20 electrodes glued to it and it is completely wrapped up in gauze. All the wires are housed in a little blue bag I have to carry with me whereever I go, but there isn’t a lot of leaving the bed right now.
My body is tired from the induced episodes and my heart is admittedly a little overwhelmed.
In moments of deep pain and struggle, it’s easy to ask, “God, do you see me? The depths of my weariness, the cry of my heart?”
There is a woman in Scripture who knows this feeling all too well.
She was a slave who, in her quest to be obedient to her mistress became pregnant, was mistreated, and tried to run away – her name was Hagar.
When Sarah and Abraham stepped outside the promise of God, it caused a lot of pain. Sarah excercised her power over Hagar and had her sleep with Abraham so they could try to have a son own their own terms. Then, in Sarah’s jealousy, she mistreated Hagar and Hagar, pregnant and alone, tried to flee.
Related Posts:
- Holding to the Peace of God that Passes all Understanding
- Are You Trying To Hold your heart Together?
- For the girl who does not feel victorious
I love what happens next though. Scripture says that “the angel of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness and spoke promises over her for her son (Genesis 16:7, ESV)
There in her literal and metaphorical wilderness, God met her.
She being the first person in Scripture give a name to God, gave Him a name saying, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “truly here I have seen Him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13, ESV) He is the God who sees me. El Roi.
When I read the phrase “He is the God who sees me”, I feel this rush of comfort and peace.
The same God that saw and looked after Hagar in her wilderness, her desperation, and her fear is the same God who sees us in our struggle today. He is still speaking promises over us in our wilderness today.
For Deeper Study
Pray
Father God,
Thank you that in all things and in all circumstances, you see me. Not only do you simply see me, but you deeply care for me. You look after me. There is not a place where I can go that is devoid of your promises. There is not a wilderness that I am walking through that you will not meet me in. So I come before you and I ask that you meet my struggle with your love and provision. Encourage my heart with your Word.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
This is part of our weekly devotional series. To read past devotions, click here.
