Seen by God
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.” Genesis 16:13
My
first pair of eyeglasses opened my eyes to a bold world. I’m
nearsighted, meaning objects close up are sharp and defined. Without my
glasses, however, items across a room or in the distance are a blur. At
age twelve, with my first pair of eyeglasses, I was shocked to see
clearer words on blackboards, tiny leaves on trees and, perhaps most
important, big smiles on faces.
As friends smiled back when I greeted them, I learned that to be seen was as great a gift as the blessing of seeing.
The slave Hagar realized that as she fled from her mistress Sarai’s unkindness. Hagar was a “nobody” in her culture, pregnant and alone, fleeing to a desert without help or hope. Seen by God, however, she was empowered, in return, to see Him. No longer a vague concept, God became real to her, so real that she gave God a name, El Roi, which means “You are the God who sees me.” She said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
Our seeing God sees each of us too. Feeling unseen, alone, or like a nobody? God sees you and your future. In return, may we see in Him our ever-present hope, encouragement, salvation, and joy—both for today and for our future. Praise Him today for this gift of amazing sight, to see the one true and Living God.
As friends smiled back when I greeted them, I learned that to be seen was as great a gift as the blessing of seeing.
The slave Hagar realized that as she fled from her mistress Sarai’s unkindness. Hagar was a “nobody” in her culture, pregnant and alone, fleeing to a desert without help or hope. Seen by God, however, she was empowered, in return, to see Him. No longer a vague concept, God became real to her, so real that she gave God a name, El Roi, which means “You are the God who sees me.” She said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
Our seeing God sees each of us too. Feeling unseen, alone, or like a nobody? God sees you and your future. In return, may we see in Him our ever-present hope, encouragement, salvation, and joy—both for today and for our future. Praise Him today for this gift of amazing sight, to see the one true and Living God.
Today's Reflection
Lord, I’m just one person in a big world, but I thank You for looking from on high and seeing me—so that I may see You.
Good reminder that I am not invisible, though it may feel like it. He knows even the number of hairs on our head!
ReplyDeleteI love this devotion! It's so true we are SEEN. A great story I thought about when I saw this was about- was one my sister told me about a personal experience she had. She is a mom of three and sometimes life becomes very overwhelming and busy. One day a fee years ago she was a having a really rough day, nothing truly seemed to be going well. She was on the kitchen floor wiping up something that spilled from one of the three kiddos. As she scrubbed and scrubbed and felt so defeated.. like no one every see's all I do for my kiddos. She audibly heard the Lord say "I see you, and you matter" Just began to cry, she told me hearing the Lord affirm her was so encouraging. God always see's you even when you feel invisible. What a great reminder, Thank you for letting me share
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful devotional and what a great story from Holly, too. The daily grind can be so exacting and often feel like it is not acknowledged by anyone. It is such a nice feeling when you feel appreciated. I need to do better about encouraging all around me and especially those in my family, that they are perfectly made in God's image and that they matter and that what they are doing in life matter's.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of my 92 year old father who recently had cataract surgery. After the surgery, he was shocked to see the world in a different way. He is a painter and he realized that all the colors he thought he was seeing were not there. He then had to redo the paintings to reflect the new reality he saw with his new vision. Not only does an all knowing God see us but as we draw closer to him, he causes our vision to be sharper and to see ourselves and others through his eyes. Great devotion and encouraging to someone who is feeling downtrodden.
ReplyDeleteIn this age of space exploration and photos from the Hubble telescope, it is easy to feel insignificant. We need humility, but not a sense of worthlessness. God gives us that sense of value and we have to trust in it. God help us!
ReplyDelete