Do you ever feel like you are all alone and not understood? You churn your situation over in your mind and need to hear God’s voice. A woman named Hagar, in Genesis 16 had felt that way. She was mistreated and all alone. The angel of the LORD spoke to her face to face. He asked Hagar “Where have you come from, and where are you going?” Genesis 16:8 NIV. Then it says “She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi.” Genesis 16:13-14 NIV. El Roi means God sees me. This is the only place in the Bible where the name for God, El Roi was used.
Hagar was running away from her problems. But God saw Hagar’s need and responded. He told her to go back and submit to Sarai (Hagar was her servant). God had a plan for her life. Hagar was astounded at God’s gracious attention. Hagar felt the full pain of rejection along with being pregnant without a husband. Her future circumstances did not look to be filled with any hope of happiness and she was afraid. The lesson is God saw her and knew all about her problem. God’s messenger gave Hagar the name of her unborn son, which was Ishmael, which meant “God hears” so she could never forget God heard her cry of misery. The truth of God’s character is our lesson in this story. God’s omniscience is always to be remembered – He sees and knows everything.
- When I am mistreated – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I feel overwhelmed – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I sin – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I am feeling insecure and awkward– God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I feel alone and forgotten – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I am exhausted – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I need more courage – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I feel I lack in stability – God sees, knows, and hears.
- When I need the chaos to turn into calmness – God sees, knows and hears, for He is Sar Shalom – prince of peace.
Questions:
What comes into your mind when you think about God?
How do you think God sees you today?
“Every trial has an ending. God has a special purpose for you right now, holding your hand during each humanly fearful trial. He is your refuge; He is your sufficiency; He is your fortress of protection: He is your shield, and He will deliver you. “Taming the Lion’s Roar. Handling Fear in the Midst of a Trial” – excerpt on page 36 from Lesson 7. Linda Killian.
“El Roi, you see. I ask you to act on my behalf when you see me wronged unfairly. I ask you to defend and vindicate me when you see me accused unjustly. When others toil less and yet receive more reward, I ask you to see the diligence and tenacity of my heart and open doors for me that only you can open – because you see.” Praying Through The Names Of God. Tony Evans.
May you remember God’s name, El Roi – God sees me – and fully know the God who sees you.
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