The God Who Sees Me

“Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, ‘You are the God who sees me.’”  [Genesis 16:13]

Have you ever tried to run away from your problem? I never ran away literally, but I was tempted to run away figuratively. On more than one occasion, I thought that running away would solve the problem. “I’ll just get a different job.”  “I’ll just move to a different house or city.” 

Fortunately, when faced with this temptation, I would typically call my good friend and mentor. After listening to my complaints and “rationale” for wanting to run away, he would always come back to this advice:  “Are you running from something or running to something? Always run to something!”

Hagar was a maidservant to Sarai. Sarai and Abram, her husband, were childless and they desperately wanted an heir to the family. So, they decided to take matters into their own hands, despite the promise God had given them that they would have a son. Sarai suggested that Abram sleep with Hagar, so he did!  Hagar becomes pregnant and gives to birth to a son, Ishmael. Wouldn’t you know it, Sarai becomes jealous and begins to mistreat Hagar! She treats her so badly, that Hagar takes Ishmael and runs away!  When asked why she is running away, Hagar tells God that she is running from her mistress. She feels alone, abandoned, and forgotten. That is precisely when God reveals Himself to Hagar. After realizing God cares about her and her situation, she proclaims, “You are the God who see me”—El Roi.

What about you? Do you feel unseen? Forgotten? Abandoned? Are you tempted to run from something?

El Roi – The God Who Sees Me – knows exactly where you are and what you are going through. You are not alone! 

What are you going to do: Run from or run to?