The story of Hagar has been before me for a few days. Hagar, the Egyptian maidservant of Sarai. She was stripped of all personal rights as a person, as a woman, and had to give into Sarai’s every demand.
Her very name, Hagar, means “flight”. This is the very thing she would be doing once she became pregnant at Sarai’s insistence by her husband, Abram. Now mistreated and disrespected, Hagar runs away. She flees to the wilderness where the Angel of the Lord finds her by a spring of water.
It was to a fugitive slave, a pregnant and unwed woman, that God reveals Himself.
“Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who- Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” (Genesis 16:13, NKJV)
El-Roi. The God who sees me.
God knew what Hagar was experiencing. He knew that she was on the run with little provision, and He was watching over her.
Under no circumstance could Hagar escape the watchful eye of God. God cares about those who are cast aside, disadvantaged, mistreated, rejected, and abused. It was to Hagar that God revealed Himself.
The same way God provided and protected Hagar, He is with each of us over the course of our lives. The Lord Himself steps into our impossible situations and intervenes. He hears the cries of the afflicted, sees the needs, and moves in power to tend to them.
“In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles.” (Psalm 34:6, NLT)
Our God will come to the very place we are to be with us. He is the living One who sees us. We are never invisible to His watchful eyes.
El Roi – “The God who sees me.”
Today I am joining … Grace Moments and #ChasingCommunity and Heart Encouragement Thursday and Tune In Thursday .
This story is so poignant, and it blesses my heart whenever I remember that God gave the privilege of naming Him to that little slave girl who was feeling invisible to everyone.
I love the way you share a story, Joanne.
Michele, it is such a powerful moment as it so highlights how valued we each are in His eyes. It blesses me each time I read it.
Love El Roi. Coming from a family where I’ve never felt seen, or enough — I’m so very grateful for a God who sees and comes alongside His own. I love how He didn’t forget Hagar and Ishmael even when it seemed His favor was elsewhere. Thanks for sharing, Joanne. ((xoxo))
Brenda, it is an amazing story of how God watches over each of us. Yes, even when His favor seems elsewhere. It makes me realize how we each are “His favorite”, His chosen ones. So grateful for your encouraging heart!
Joanne,
How comforting to know that even when I feel like I’m invisible to the world…God is El Roi – the God who sees me. He is also Jehovah Jireh – My Provider, Jehovah Rophe – My Healer and so on. So many amazing aspects to God and He answers my every need!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, our God is the answer to our every need and that is most amazing indeed. All we need is more of Him. Blessings, friend!
I love knowing even when I feel invisible, He still has me in sight! Others might not see or care, but He does!
Jerralea, it is both a humbling and comforting thought, isn’t it? And there has never been a moment He has not had each of us in His sight.
Thank God He sees me. Reminds me of my daughter’s prayer after looking up at the cross. She said thank you Jesus for Looking at me😊
Hugs Joanne
God bless
Ifeoma, I love your daughter’s prayer. And how precious to know it at a young age. May that truth be sealed in her heart and mind for all of her days. Blessings, friend!
Joanne – He does indeed see Me and you too! I am so glad after all these years, I finally can say – He see’s me. I mean, I knew the Word said it, I read it. I heard it in church, but at times, I always wondered. But now I know, and have for some time now, but it is so good to be reminded of it. I relate to Hagar a little too – in the fact that she wanted to run away and escape… I used to have that tendency too. Thanks for joining the community at #TuneInThursday this week.
Debbie, you raise such a good point. It is when we can finally take ownership of those words that they sink in deeply and bring healing. It is a joy to join you each week!