May 1, 2023 - Genesis 16:5-7, 11, & 13

“Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.” “Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur…And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. 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 16:5-7, 11, & 13 NLT

Lord, what a beautiful thing, that even with Sarai’s lack of faith and wrong decisions, you still didn’t forsake Hagar, an Egyptian slave. What a loving God you are. You heard her cries and sent an angel to answer her. You are the God that hears us. We praise you. Nothing is missed by you. Not one word or thought from us is overlooked or drowned out in all the noise. You hear it all. We praise you for being our El Roi, the God who sees me. Wow. Lord, what an honor to be seen by you. Really seen. Deeply seen and understood. Even our closest friends do not see us like you do. You don’t miss a second. Even when we don’t see or feel you, we can trust that you are there and see. Even when we don’t understand why something is happening and we feel forsaken, it isn’t true. You are still El Roi. We can still stand on your Word, and its promises. You see us and you care. Your love for us will never end. All praise be to your name. Help us to always hold fast to this truth and praise your name through whatever we face. What a magnificent God we serve! You are so worthy.

In Jesus name, amen.