We live in a world where what we see is sometimes not reality. We see pictures that have been photoshopped, cropped, and even tinted to appear to be something they are not. However, we serve a God who sees all perfectly as it is. The title for God that means this, is El Rio, “the God who sees me.” There is absolutely nothing that escapes our God’s awareness and His care. Psalm 124:4 says that he never slumbers or sleeps. He is always watching. In Matthew 10:30, Jesus said he numbers the very hairs of our head. He knows when your heart aches due to a pain someone else inflicted. He knows when you hurt physically, but keep going. He knows when we are convicted and feel sorry for our sins. When we allow fears to overwhelm us. When we miss an opportunity to tell someone about him and regret it later. He knows when you are in that dark place, that no one else sees because you are smiling on the outside. He knows it all!
In Genesis chapter 16, Sarah was barren. She wanted a child so much that she was seeking to usurp God and do it her way. She decided to give her handmaid to Abraham, as a wife, and they would have a child using her as a surrogate mom. Abraham knew that God had promised a child to them, but he was willing to go along with her plan. Anytime we choose to get ahead of God, it is a BAD idea!
Hagar was the handmaid, or slave, of Sarah, so she obeyed. However, when Sarah found out Haggar had conceived, she was angry and begin to deal harshly with her. Hager despised Sarah, so now the battle was on. Two women, one man! Abraham told Sarah, the wife God gave him, to deal with Hagar as she wished. When Sarah dealt harshly with her, Hagar fled. She ran to the wilderness.
Now we have an Egyptian woman, pregnant, homeless, and all alone in the wilderness. She is sitting by a fountain of water, not knowing what to do. Just in time, God shows up. He sends his angel to speak to Hagar. He tells her to go back and submit to Sarah. He then gives her a promise of more children. He tells her that she will have a son, and his name will be Is Ishmael, meaning the LORD hath heard thy affliction.
It was here that Hagar identified God as, El Rio, the God who sees me.
Genesis 16:13 “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”
There is no escape from God, and we should be eternally grateful for that truth. God loves us and wants what is best for us. When we get out of his will and do it our way, he will forgive, but there will be consequences. The nation of Israel suffered because of Sarah and Abraham’s decision, but God forgave and used Abraham mightily. Years later, Isaac would come into the world and the promise would be fulfilled
If only they all would have realized God’s timing is not ours, but it is always best. He sees all in the past, present, and future.
What is he seeing in you? Is it pain, fear, hopelessness, anger, anxiety, depression, thoughts of doing wrong, or taking matters into your own hands? Stop, and turn to the God who sees, who already knows every emotion you have, and all you will experience. The one who knows all, but still loves you with an everlasting love. The one who will make a way for you, just like he did for Hagar. He told her to go back and submit unto Sarah. I tell you to go to Him and submit. Unlike Sarah, he is a gracious loving Master.
Genesis 16:9 “And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.”
I am so thankful for my God, a God who sees and knows all and still loves me. He sees my intentions to do right and He sees when those intentions become failures. He takes note of everything about me from the smallest to the largest He sees and He cares. I am thankful He has made a way for me to be forgiven so that one day I will see Him and spend eternity with Him.
