It’s been a few weeks of ups and downs, but God is faithful to bring us through the times when we look to him.
I found it humorous this morning when after doing my reading in the Bible and through the devotionals that the message our pastor delivered on Mother’s Day is what my Bible reading covered.
It is important for each of us to feel seen. As we look at today’s scripture, I think you’ll see it all come together.
Hagar leaves the camp of Abram feeling mistreated by Sarai and abandoned. After giving Hagar to Abram to take as a wife, she becomes jealous that Hagar is pregnant. But the angel of the LORD visits her and Hagar feels seen by him…
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.” This is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi, it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered”. -Gen. 16:13
Feeling unseen and despised by her owner, Hagar felt seen by God when he came to her in the desert. (For more of this encounter, read Gen. 16.)
Hagar is livestock to Abram and Sarai. They own her, as was the custom at the time. This doesn’t mean that it’s right or that God ordained slavery, it’s just describing what happened.
People not being seen is a problem of sin. Not being the hands and feet of God causes others to not feel understood. We think nobody care about us.
But God sees and hears you.
Hagar was there to produce the son that Sarai felt they needed to carry out God’s plan. (A good reason to wait on God and not jump to conclusions when he doesn’t answer right away. His timing is not our timing. He’s much more patient than we are.) She is a means to an end. She knew it and wasn’t appreciated. No rights. No freedoms. She was a rebel on the run.
Hagar’s biggest need is that she doesn’t want to be invisible. And then she meets God and gives him the name, the God who sees me.
If you met God, what name would you give him?
Hagar has the longest conversation with God of any woman and most men of that time period. She is the only person who gives God a name. She’s heard about, but doesn’t know him, until now.
We all need to be seen, to be recognized. It means you’re significant
We don’t trust that God sees us.
When no one else sees, God does. He sees you wherever you are. He consistently pursues you.
Why doesn’t God do something?
We are the body of Christ and God uses us to be his hands and feet.
That doesn’t mean he isn’t doing something. He gave us freedom. When we step outside of what’s best for us, it doesn’t mean we won’t get hurt. But he provides the possibility of healing. (See Job 36:2)
Do you think God has given up on you?
He sees you. Look back and see when God was with you. Put your eyes upon Jesus.
He gets us because he sees us. He sees them, too.
God loves what he sees. Maybe you’re the answer someone else is looking for. Go, be the hands and feet of God!
When I see, hear or read something repeatedly in a short period of time, I feel like that’s God impressing something on me. The way I’ve gotten to this place is because I got into the YouVersion app and started reading the Bible every day. That’s what kept me accountable. If I missed a day it would let me know that. If you want to get in the daily habit of studying God’s word check out the YouVersion app!
In Faith,
Pam
Where God Leads 