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Verse: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
Have you ever felt unseen or unheard? Invisible? Like no one cared about you except for what they could get from you? Hagar did.
When you read her story in Genesis 16, note that Abraham and Sarah never call her by name. Just “my maid” or “your maid.” They did not ask her input or how she felt about their decision—was she willing to sleep with Abraham and become a surrogate for Sarah? Her thoughts or feelings didn’t matter. Her hopes and dreams didn’t matter. They didn’t see her as a person but as a way to get what they wanted.
Life got harder for Hagar when she became pregnant, and Sarah’s jealousy and anger flared. So Hagar fled. Ran. Hid. Just wanted to be out of Sarah’s reach and done with the entire situation. Life alone had to be better than what she was experiencing. She had done what they wanted —met their expectations— and now was being treated “harshly” (verse 6). God knew. He pursued her. The Angel of the Lord met her in the wilderness. He called her by name. He saw her. He heard her (verse 11).
He cared. The Angel of the Lord asked her where she was coming from and where she was going. Note her answer when you read her story.
She had no clue where she’s going —she’s just going.
She could only tell Him where she’s coming from.
He sent her home with a promise of God’s blessing for her and her son’s future. Hagar was the first woman to give God a new name: El Roi.
The God who sees. She named her son “Ishmael,” which means “God hears.” She’s able to return to an angry, wounded, jealous Sarah and die to self. The situation and Sarah’s attitude had not changed, but Hagar had.
Knowing God sees you, hears you, and has a plan for you brings peace and confidence that enables you to endure and persist despite your circumstances.
God sees you. He hears you. God promises He has a plan that brings a hopeful future. Rest in that truth. Let it bring you courage for the day and the challenges it brings. Remind yourself that no matter what anyone else says or sees in you, God delights in you. He loves you more than anyone ever has or ever will.
He’s crazy about you. And He. Sees. You.
Tamyra Horst