GOD SEES YOUR PAIN
"7 Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” 10 Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” 11 And the Angel of the Lord said to her: “Behold, you are with child, and you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has heard your affliction. 12 He shall be a wild man; His hand shall be against every man, and every man’s hand against him. And he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.” 13 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 16:7-13.
In ancient times it was not unusual for a wife to arrange for her husband to have children with her maid. You may remember it also happens with Bilhah and Zilpah, the maids of Rachel and Leah, the wives of Jacob. Genesis 30:1-8. It was a common practice then. Sarai (who later became Sarah) had been married for years without a child. So, she suggested that Abram (later known as Abraham), take her maid as a concubine. That maid is called Hagar! So Hagar found herself in a precarious situation. No one asked her if that’s what she wanted. Hagar is forced to bear a child for Sarah. She had no power to disobey her mistress. She is silent when Sarah gives her to Abram because she is bound to perform whatever is asked of her. And Abram? He agreed to do what his wife suggested. He slept with Hagar. She became his concubine. But the trouble started, however, when Hagar realizes she is pregnant and begins to take pride in it. Hagar began to despise her mistress. In return, Sarai mistreated her. She hated Hagar and made her life miserable. When the situation becomes unbearable, Hagar ran away. The pain, stress, and betrayal caused her to run away. With no friend in sight, she fled into the wilderness. In the wilderness, she had a divine encounter! Twice she was persecuted. And twice He rescued her. Twice she was discouraged. And twice he comforted her. Genesis 21:17. Twice El Roi, The God Who Sees, came to her aid. She was belittled, abused, and demeaned by others, but God lifted up her spirit. Twice El Roi, The God Who Sees, meets Hagar in her wilderness of loneliness, rejection, trouble and pain. Twice El Roi, The God Who Sees, helped her. He sought her. He saw her. She thought no one cared if she lived or died. But God saw her. He cared! He called her by name. God listened to her. He understood her plight. God spoke to her about her future and directed her on what to do next. He provided for her in the midst of her pain. Twice Hagar gave up hope. And twice, El Roi, The God Who Sees, appeared to her and restored her hope. Twice she thought her story was over. And twice, El Roi, The God Who Sees, showed Himself to Hagar and gave her new beginnings. Twice she was the recipient of divine promises.
Life’s never fair to anyone! No one is exempt from troubles. So many things happen that we cannot understand or control. When friends and family abandons, it can often feel like God has given up on us, too. You may be going through a season of rejection, abandonment, loss, grief, or uncertainty. But do not be discouraged; God will never leave you. The Bible reminds us that God is faithful, just and fair! So when you feel forgotten like an outcast, discarded as worthless or belittled as nothing, be assured that God will uplift, comfort, strengthen, and support you. He knows and sees you! El Roi, the God Who Sees, knows exactly where you're in your life's journey and what you're going through. You are not lost and alone! Just as He gave encouragement and instruction to Hagar in her darkest times, so He'll encourage and instruct us today!
"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry." Psalm 34:15.
God created you for His divine purposes. You're not a product of errors, trials and mistakes; there's a divine purpose for your existence. You're unique! You're special. Your life is significant. You're important and are not hidden from His sight!
"29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31.
Is your heart grieving because of pain, hurt, and confusion? Do you feel unloved, rejected, or treated with contempt? Have you been abused by those who should be protecting you? Have you been misunderstood? Even today, thousands of years later, Hagar is misunderstood and treated unfairly by many believers who writes or speak of her. But God saw her! He saw it all. In the midst of her hopelessness, God saw Hagar. In the midst of despair, God saw her. In the midst of injustice and betrayal, God saw her. No one cared for Hagar. Abram didn’t. Sarai didn’t. When she ran into the wilderness, no one was out looking for her, except the God who made her. He found her. He comforted her. He sees you, too! The same God who saw Hagar in her distress also sees you. El Roi is not blind to your situation. He sees you! El Roi sees your pain, and disappointments. He sees all the quiet ways you've worked and yet no one appreciates you. He sees how your heart have been broken so many times by the hurtful words of others. He sees the pains you're hiding. He sees every dream, frustration, and trials. Not only is He the God that sees you, He hears you. He sees the countless tears that you've shed. He has a record of your sorrows, and Has collected them in a bottle. Psalm 56:8. God has not forgotten you! He sees your despair. He sees your joy. He sees your deepest needs. He longs to heal your broken heart. You're loved and accepted by Him no matter your struggles, failures, or past. You’re not a failure! You’re not forgotten! You’re not a cast away! You're not an outcast! You're not a 'born throw-away'. Even when you can’t see Him, He sees you. God is El Roi, The One Who Sees you. He is keenly aware of what you're going through. God's concerned about what troubles you.
"Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they comfort me." Psalm 23:4.
1. Come to God as you are.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29.
Come with your fear and anxieties and receive His peace. Come with your grieving, wounded heart and receive the Holy Spirit’s comfort and healing. Come as you are and cast your worries in the Savior’s gentle, and capable hands.
2. Refuse to see yourself as a victim of circumstances. Romans 8:37.
3. Come out of the wilderness of bitterness, and unforgiveness.
4. Choose to forgive. Colossians 3:13. 1 Peter 4:8. No one is perfect.
5. Be faithful in praise. Give thanks to God in all circumstances.
6. Meditate on the Word of God. When you feel like giving up, seek God’s Word for encouragement and restoration.
7. Be consistent in prayer. Luke 18:1-8. Do not stop praying.
8. Lean into the One who sees you. Be patient in faith. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
If you want to begin a deeper relationship with God or resume a broken relationship with Him, say this prayer: O God, I come to You today. I know I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died on the cross to save me and He resurrected on the third day. I repent of my sins and forsake them. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour and surrender my life to Him today. Thank you Jesus for saving me and making me a child of God. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. When no one else seems to see me or understand me, thank You, El Roi, for seeing me, in Jesus name.
2. Father, let me not be too proud to walk the path You've set for me, in Jesus name.
3. Thank You, Lord, for answering my prayers.
