Opening Prayer: Lord, may I walk this day confident that I am fully seen, deeply heard, and endlessly loved by God—and may that assurance overflow into the way I listen to others. Amen
Read Genesis 16:13 “She (Hagar) 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.”
These words were spoken thousands of years ago by Hagar, the maid servant of Sarah who was married to Abraham. After more than a decade of not becoming pregnant, as God had promised her she would, Sarah used Hagar as her surrogate. God had promised Sarah a baby and so she took matters into her own hands and used Hagar to make this happen. As soon as Hagar became pregnant, her attitude towards Sarah changed and she began to despise Sarah. So then Sarah began to mistreat Hagar. Because of this, Hagar ran away to the desert. I imagine she must have felt so alone…. so unseen…. so unheard.
But, God met her in the desert and spoke to her, and encouraged her to return home, apologize, and humble herself. God SAW her! He KNEW her! And despite her actions and her behavior He listened to the cry of her heart. He even offered her instruction as to how to get out of the mess she had made for herself.
The story goes on to reveal that God blessed Hagar with a son. God told her to name him Ishmael-which means God HEARS.
Every one of us has a wilderness season – a place where we wonder if anyone notices our tears, our efforts, our exhaustion. But God specializes in meeting us in these hidden deserts.
Hagar felt seen and heard by God. His voice and His encouragement helped her to feel safe enough to return and do what He asked her to do. She called God El Roi, which is Hebrew for “the God who sees me.”
God hears us and He sees us, too – we are safe with Him. He loves us with an endless supply of perfect love.
Truth: Being seen by God empowers us to see others.
Prayer: God who sees me, open my eyes to those who feel invisible.
