Sometimes we can feel like giving up. And we find ourselves in a situation where all hope has gone. Maybe the pandemic and quarantine has you in this place, or some other circumstances. You’re tired, stressed and feel like you’re run out of options.
In the Bible, we find a woman just like that. Hagar found herself in total despair, not just once but twice.
On the first occasion, Hagar had run away from an abusive situation. Pregnant with Abram’s child, Hagar was mistreated by her mistress Sarai, Abram’s wife. Sarai made Hagar feel so wretched and humiliated Hagar fled the abuse. And, it seemed like Abram distanced himself from any responsibility even though Hagar carried his child. Abram gave Sarai free rein to treat Hagar however she wanted. You can read the story in Genesis 16.
God sees and speaks
But, alone in the desert, in the depths of her misery, God showed up to speak to her in a personal way.
God had seen everything going on in her life—the mess, chaos, and how she was about to give up. More than that, God found Hagar. He searched her out. And Hagar gave God a new name, one He had not been known by—El Roi—the God who sees me.
She [Hagar] 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.” Genesis 16:13
God instructed Hagar to return home to the abusive situation, which she did. The second occasion of Hagar’s despair occurred some time later. Hagar and her child were thrown out of the house and banished by Sarai, now called Sarah. Again, she ended up in the desert. With nothing to drink, Hagar had no choice but to leave her child to die. Her circumstances were the most desperate situation anyone can find themselves in—without water.
God hears and provides
Yet, again, God showed up and gave Hagar hope.
God had revealed himself to Hagar as El Roi, the God who sees. Now, he gave Hagar eyes to see.
Just then God opened her [Hagar’s] eyes. She looked. She saw a well of water. She went to it and filled her canteen and gave the boy a long, cool drink. Genesis 21:19 MSG
On the first occasion, God met Hagar’s spiritual need. God saw her misery, her situation. He cared deeply for her. Now God met her physical needs too by opening her eyes to see what was right in front of her—a well of water. Abraham had given Hagar a limited amount to drink—a skin full of water. That provision had been consumed. But God provided a more lasting supply of water from a well.
El Roi—the God who sees—sees your situation too, the one where you feel utter despair. Be assured that God sees the pain and suffering you are going through. Invite God to come and find you, to speak to you and comfort you.
What do you need today? Jesus instructed us to ask God to meet our daily needs. This includes your physical, emotional, and spiritual requirements. Ask God to give you eyes to see the provision right in front of you—one that exceeds your immediate expectations.
Use the prayer below to bring your need to God.
Lord God—El Roi—I give you praise because you are the God who sees me too, just like you saw Hagar. I believe you see ____________________________ (list what is difficult for you right now). You see my need for ____________________________ (fill in with a specific requirement for today). Give me a glimpse of you today. Let me know you will show up and be present with me today. God, open my eyes. Give me eyes to see the provision you have made that is right in front of me—one that I have missed seeing and that is more fulfilling and abundant than what I had before. Reveal yourself to me so I can praise your name and remember this day with gladness. I will praise you God, because your provision is always abundant. Amen.