El Roi—the God who sees. What a beautiful name for our heavenly Father! Not only did He create everything including every person that ever walked this earth, but He also sees them and directs their steps. That may be a little scary, even overwhelming to an unbeliever. Sadly, they may just choose to ignore God or dismiss Him as a nonentity in their lives. But here in Genesis, we see an amazing story about an Egyptian bondservant named Hagar.
To put her story in a nutshell: Abram (whose name will be changed to Abraham) has gone into her to produce an heir at his wife’s, Sari (later named Sarah) suggestion. She is with child. Sari is now jealous and treats her harshly, and Hagar is on the run. What happens next is truly amazing. God not only speaks to this seemingly insignificant slave, but tells her that He has heard her cry, she will have a son, his name will be Ishmael, and he will be a wild man. Her response:
“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 16:13
While my mom was in the hospital, they set up a monitor in her room. It was a comfort to me because I couldn’t stay overnight and I knew a nurse couldn’t sit with Mom 24/7. If she had a problem, they would know. It made me think about this Bible story and the title El Roi—You are the God Who Sees. In fact, He is the God who sees me! What a comfort!
With the monitor, they could see when she was having a problem and come to help her. Isn’t that true about our heavenly Father as well? It’s not just by accident or coincidence that God ‘shows up’ just when I need to be rescued or encouraged or rebuked. He is ALWAYS there, seeing and directing my steps. He sees everything, and my God sees me! What a comfort. I can’t even imagine thinking that things just happen. It’s as laughable as the Big Bang Theory!
Dear born-again believer, do you know that God sees you? Do you find comfort in that fact? AND, He doesn’t use a monitor which may bleep out when the electricity goes off or the internet is down! He is always there. Hallelujah! Always listening, always directing my steps, always, only good!
I hope that is an encouragement to you today!
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him,
Proverbs 3:5,6
And He shall direct your paths.
Beyond Common Sense 