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, NLT

God told Abram (Abraham) he would have a son, but his wife, Sarai (Sarah) was barren. She decided to give Abram her servant Hagar as a wife so she could give him a son. Hagar became pregnant, and despised Sarai. She had no choice in the matter. Sarai then began to deal harshly with Hagar. Hagar was visited by an angel of the Lord while she was at a well. He told her she would also give birth to a great nation, and that God has seen her affliction. She called him Adonai El Roi, the God who sees me.

We live in difficult times. It is hard to ignore what is happening in the world around you, and even harder when you are facing difficult times in your personal life. He sees you.

To the woman who feels alone, who had her life mapped out perfectly, but her heart has been broken…

Friend, the road of rejection is a hard, lonely one to walk. One day you will be able to look back and see you did not walk this road alone. You will see how His hand was upon your life (Romans 8:28). The sun always rises, and I know from experience that God uses our pain to give birth to something new. He allowed me to go through some tough times, but they ended with some of my greatest blessings. This is just a season, and seasons change. You are not alone. He hears your prayers and stores your tears (Psalm 56:8). He sees you.

To the wife who strives to be enough, but feels inadequate…

He made you in His image (Genesis 1:26) and He loves you just the way you are. He makes no mistakes. Comparison is the greatest lie the enemy uses to make you ineffective. You are who He says you are, and you are His. Be who He made you to be and embrace it! We live in a social media world where everyone tries to be like someone else. Be an imitator of Christ instead (1 Corinthians 11:1). Seek His face to see yourself through His eyes, because He sees you.

To the woman who had the picture perfect life, but then he left you…

Jesus is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). You were faithful, but your husband was not. You feel as though the life you knew and the future you planned are shattered into a million pieces. It is not your fault. His choice does not determine your future. Jesus makes all things new (Revelations 21:5). He will restore you, and when everyone else fails you, He is faithful. He will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). He will give you beauty for these ashes (Isaiah 61:3). He sees you.

To the young mom, who feels drained and tired…

I remember being here, too tired to sleep or take care of myself. I loved my babies but was tired. I needed a moment to breathe. I felt guilty for feeling that way. I wondered what my purpose was. My children became my identity, but they are only little for a season. Mama, God has a plan and a purpose for you. Right now, your ministry assignment is to raise these babies to serve Him and be successful in this life. Your biggest accomplishment that will leave a mark on this world is who you are raising. Take heart, and know that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). He is for you, and gave those babies to you because you have the treasures their little hearts need tucked away in the rooms of your heart. He is with you in those daily mundane tasks. He will meet you at the well, or in this case, the sink full of dishes. He sees you.

To the woman who has regret, who wishes she could undo some things in her past…

Where sin increased, God’s grace [His unmerited favor] has surpassed it and increased all the more (Romans 5:20). The Samaritan woman was also met by Jesus at Jacob’s well in John 4. This meeting was no accident. She had five husbands, and was living with a man who she was not married to. He told her what she had done, but offered her living water, and revealed Himself. Repentance brings change. She believed. He changed her reputation, and others followed her to see the Messiah and believed. God can turn your mistakes into a message that will draw others to Him. He is rewriting your story. Walk in the grace you have been given, knowing you have been redeemed. All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. (Romans 3:23) He sees you.

To the woman who worries at night and cries out to God for her children…

Dedicating or Christening our children to the Lord when they are young is so much more than just a ritual practice. It is a Biblical one (1 Samuel 1:27-28). When we do this, we are saying, “Lord, you have given me the gift of being their mother, but they were created for your purpose. I am acknowledging that they are yours, and that I trust you with their lives. Your will be done.” It is not too late to dedicate them to God. He loves our children more than we ever can or will. He gave His life for them. Trust Him (Proverbs 3:5). He alone can heal, save, and rescue. He has them and He has you in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 49:25). He hears the cries of your heart, just as he heard the cries of so many mama’s before you (Psalm 145:19). He sees your children. He is in control. Trust Him completely, and know that He sees your heart. Be at peace (Isaiah 26:3). He sees you.

To the woman who has lived a life well lived, who enjoys the fruits of her labor…

He sees you, but so do we. The women who are walking the roads you already have are looking for wisdom from you (Titus 2:3-5). Share your story. As long as you are living, God is not done with you. We need you, and He sees you.

When life is hard, and when it is not, He sees you. When you laugh, when you cry, when the pain is unbearable… He sees you. In every season, and every circumstance, He is Adonai El Roi, The God you sees you.