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.” 14 That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael. Genesis 16:13-16
If you’ve been reading these posts, you’ll recognize “The God Who Sees Me” theme sprinkled throughout. It’s a truth that if we were to fully grasp, it would change our lives. Of course, we all nod our heads when we hear that phrase, because of course God sees us, but the truth of it is transformative in every area of your life. It’s not as if is watching us to see if we mess up. He does see everything we do and is cheering us on, but not in a way to be accusatory or to bring shame upon us. He wants us to make right choices and to honor Him with those choices.
In the story, Hagar went back to Abram’s household, knowing that she’d be despised and abused by her mistress Sarai. That was not an easy choice to make. But she knew that God saw her and looked upon her afflictions. God was much bigger than her current afflictions.
In the same way, God knows what we go through. He does.
- He knows the sleepless nights waiting for a child to return.
- He knows the pain a loved one is experiencing.
- He knows the loneliness you feel even when you’re in a crowd of people.
He knows. He sees. And He will sustain.