Introduction

Greetings, dear friends. It is a joy to gather with you again, in this place of fellowship and faith, united by the love of our Savior. We stand here, not as individuals, but as a family, bound by the grace of God that transcends our earthly understanding. Today, we gather to consider a powerful passage from the book of Genesis, a passage that shines a light on the nature of God and how He sees us.

The esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer, once wrote, "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life's problems fall into place of their own accord." Isn't this a truth we all need to hold onto? That the main business of our lives is to know God? And isn't it a comfort to know that in the process of knowing Him, we are fully seen by Him?

Our scripture for today comes from Genesis 16:13, "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 the cry of Hagar, a woman who felt unseen, unloved, and unwanted. Yet, in her darkest hour, she encountered the living God, the God who sees.

Misinterpretations and Misunderstandings

In the story of Hagar, we see a woman who is misunderstood and misinterpreted by those around her. She was an Egyptian servant, given to Abram's wife Sarai to bear a child on her behalf. In the culture of the time, this was not an uncommon practice. Yet, when Hagar became pregnant, she was treated harshly by Sarai and misunderstood by Abram.

Hagar's story is a stark reminder of how easily we can misinterpret the actions and intentions of others. We often judge people based on our own perspectives and biases, failing to consider their feelings or circumstances. This can lead to conflict and misunderstanding, as it did for Hagar, Sarai, and Abram.

Yet, in the midst of this misunderstanding, God saw Hagar. He saw her pain, her confusion, and her fear. This is a powerful reminder for us today. God sees us as we truly are, not as others see us. He understands our hearts and our intentions, even when others do not.

In our own lives, we may find ourselves in situations where we feel misunderstood or misinterpreted. We may feel judged or criticized, without anyone taking the time to understand our perspective. In these moments, we can take comfort in the fact that God sees us. He understands us, even when others do not.

Amid her pain and confusion, Hagar encountered the living God. He spoke to her, comforted her, and gave her a promise for her future. Despite her circumstances, Hagar was able to see God's love and care for her.

This encounter with God changed Hagar's perspective. She realized that she was not alone, that she was seen and loved by God. This gave her the courage to return to Sarai and Abram, despite the difficulties she had faced. In our own lives, we may face situations that seem impossible to overcome. We may feel alone and misunderstood, without any hope for the future. Yet, just as He did with Hagar, God can use these situations to reveal Himself to us. He can show us His love and care, giving us the courage to face our difficulties.

Mistakes of Making an Ishmael

We now find ourselves in the midst of a situation that is fraught with human error and divine intervention ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO