The God Who Sees Me
The God of the Old Testament, El Roi is still “The God Who Sees.”
In Psalm 43:2, David cried, “You are God my stronghold. Why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” He sees us in our depression, desperation, and difficulty. If you’ve ever felt rejected by God, you are in like company. God wants us to press into Him. He wants to be invited to take us to a deeper walk with Him. El Roi sees everything and knows everything; He knows and understands all that happens. I love this reminder from 2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” Maybe you don’t consider yourself as someone with a break-and-run mentality like Hagar. But if you have denied there is a problem or even avoided a problem, you are a runner. To face a problem means to admit it, and then to consider ways to solve it. Often it is easier to run away than to face a problem.
El Roi – The God Who Sees Me – sees us in impossible circumstances. Hagar experienced her faith growing stronger when she believed. Many of us run away from situations because of fear. Fear is an emotional response to an unknown future or uncomfortable situation. Fear can motivate us to faith. But fear can also cause us to doubt God and His provision, opening up the door for defense mechanisms such as self-pity, discouragement, anger and even depression. The Hebrew word for fear is pachad, meaning to tremble, to be in trepidation, to be on one’s guard or to have terror. Each of these definitions can relate to the daily circumstances of life, ultimately causing us to be fearful.
El Roi – The God Who Sees Me – sees us in impossible circumstances.
Although Hagar ran from a very difficult and messy situation, El Roi found her in the wilderness and helped her as she returned to an impossible situation. When Hagar returned, God not only redeemed her, she was restored and received God’s blessing over her child.
Are you desperate, in despair, or discouraged? Have you faced depression, divorce, even death? Life is so hard. When we face change or challenge, we must invite God into our circumstance. Instead of wondering why has God done this to me? Ask God how are we are going to get through this? Let Him lead you through it.
Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, thank you El Roi—the God Who Sees. I cannot run away from You. I am utterly amazed when I try to get away, you seek after me to gather me back to You but furthermore, You are waiting for me in the destination I’ve chosen for my escape. Thank You that because of Your compassion, Your eyes of love never let me out of Your sight. And Your gaze follows me wherever I flee. You sustain my every need until I come running back to You—arms, heart, and eyes wide open to be reunited with You. I tried to hide from You, but you never let me out of Your sight, and You won’t ever let me go. In Jesus name, amen.
Originally posted at Lead Like Jesus blog https://www.leadlikejesus.com/blog/god-who-sees-me-0