The God Who Sees Me

"The angel of the Lord said to her, “You have conceived and will have a son. You will name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard your cry of affliction…

So she named the Lord who spoke to her: “You are El-roi,” for she said, “In this place, have I actually seen the one who sees me?”

Genesis 16:11,13 CSB

Do you know Hagar’s story in the Bible? It’s quite fascinating.

She had just discovered she was pregnant with Abraham’s first son, and after being mistreated by her very jealous mistress, Sarai, she ran away in utter despair. She must have been dehydrated and riddled with fear and despair when the angel of the Lord found her by a spring in the wilderness, clutching to whatever threads of hope she had of surviving in a barren and unforgiving environment.

For the full story, read Genesis 16:1-15 😊

The angel told her that she would name her son Ishmael, meaning “God hears.” And she named God El-roi, meaning “God sees me,” or “God Whom I’ve Seen.” And the spring where God found her was named Beer-lahai-roi, meaning “the well of the Living One who sees me.”

Are there perhaps seasons in your life when you feel forgotten or even abandoned by God? As if He feels inaccessible or distant for a time?

Maybe you’re trying to escape something that feels too difficult to bear.

Whether you feel in a similar season to Hagar, or are feeling alone, helpless, and forgotten, know that no matter what, God is with you.

He is the One who sees you, and He is the One who hears you.

Let that sink in for a moment…

In times of difficulty, feelings and emotions often overwhelm us and numb us to the reality of God’s mighty presence surrounding us. Our feelings usually even blind us to seeing God’s outstretched arm right in front of us. It’s healthy to be aware of and process our emotions, but we shouldn't allow them to define us or the situation surrounding us.

When I have experienced those excruciating “Where are you, God?” or “Why have you forgotten me?” moments, there’s one foundational truth that steadies my heart—when He feels the most distant and far away, He’s actually closer than ever before.

Once, God gave me a picture of Him holding me so tight in His loving embrace that it took my breath away—you know, those great big, tight hugs from your favourite uncle or aunt, who smothers you in their arms for a moment? I like to think that God embraces us like this when we need it the most.

Know today that God holds you safely in His arms of unconditional love and unending grace. You might not ‘see’ Him right now, but He sees you. You might not ‘see’ Him as you expect to because He’s busy holding you securely in His arms.

Despite Hagar’s troubles, she knew she had to obey God and return to and serve her difficult mistress. That must have been a painful reality... but her almighty, all-seeing God gave her the strength and courage to do what was right.

God says to you today, dear friend, in Psalm 91:14-16:

“Because he has his heart set on me,

I will deliver him;

I will protect him because he knows my name.

When he calls out to me, I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble.

I will rescue him and give him honor.

I will satisfy him with a long life

and show him my salvation.”

Dear Father God,

Thank you that You are the God who sees me. And even though I cannot see You right now, I know that You see me and everything happening around me and to me.

Open my eyes and heart to see You at work in my life. And please help me to do what is right and pleasing in Your eyes. I rest in Your love and care for me today.

In Jesus' Name, Amen