warm-up

Do you have a friend you’ve known for so long that he or she knows all your hidden quirks? How did you become friends?

Have you experienced someone extending unexpected kindness? Tell us what happened.

Tell about a time you hid something about yourself that you didn’t like.

word

So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Genesis 16:13

(Read also Genesis 16:1–12.)

Hagar was Sarai’s Egyptian maidservant. In those times, if a wife could not get pregnant, she could legally have children by her maidservant. Sarai hoped that Hagar would get pregnant and give her a child. However, after Hagar got pregnant, she became contemptuous of Sarai. This made Sarai angry and she mistreated Hagar, who then ran away. But God showed Hagar compassion in the wilderness, and she called Him El Roi, or “The God Who Sees Me.” Here are two things we can learn about our God who sees and how these truths apply to us today.

1
God saw and knew Hagar.

So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing”. . . Genesis 16:13

Hagar was a non-Jewish slave woman. This meant that she carried many layers of shame and being unwanted as a slave in Abraham’s household. She was second-class and considered property. Yet God spoke personally to her. El Roi means “the God who sees me.” In the original language, this sort of “seeing” didn’t mean just looking. It meant knowing and acting on that knowledge. When God revealed Himself to Hagar, He wasn’t wondering who she was. He knew exactly who she was and what had happened to her. He knew her shame, her fear and insecurities, and her love for her unborn child. He saw everything, even beyond the surface. This is what is meant by the God who sees. God sees and knows you as well—everything visible and everything hidden. How does this make you feel? What is an appropriate response to this truth?

2
God looked after Hagar.

. . . for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Genesis 16:13

Hagar also described God as the one who looks after me. God did not just see her and know her; He took care of her needs. He revealed Himself to her and spoke to her. He was compassionate and loving, even knowing the darkest parts of her. Although she was not one of the “people of God,” the Jews, He extended His promise to her and her descendants and promised to look after her. Not only does God see and know you from the inside out, but He acts on your behalf, with the deepest compassion, tenderness, and love. How have you experienced God’s compassion?

application

God sees and knows you fully, and He offers His great compassion to all people. How do you think you should respond to this truth? If you would like to put your faith in our God who sees today, ask someone to pray with you.

Are there still some areas of your life that you have a hard time submitting to the Lordship of Christ? Pray for His grace to submit them to Him and to trust that God sees and takes care of you.

Ask God to show you ways that you can extend His compassion to others this week.

prayer

Thank God that He sees and knows you, and takes care of you. Pray for increased faith in His great compassion today.

Ask God about what has to change in your lifestyle or habits. Ask for His strength and grace to change these things.

Pray for your family members or friends who have yet to put their faith in Christ. Pray that they would experience the great compassion and kindness of God.

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Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®)
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