Scripture: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” – Genesis 16:13
In the quiet moments of life—when we feel unseen, overlooked, or forgotten—it is easy to wonder if God notices us at all. Our prayers may feel like they vanish into the air, and our struggles may seem insignificant compared to the world’s larger troubles. But Scripture reminds us that we serve El Roi—the God who sees.
The first person in the Bible to call God by this name was not a king, prophet, or priest, but an Egyptian servant girl named Hagar. Fleeing from harsh treatment, alone in the desert, and carrying a child she had not asked for, Hagar found herself at the end of hope. Yet there, in her wilderness, God met her. He did not pass her by. He spoke directly to her heart, gave her promises for her future, and revealed Himself as the God who sees.
God’s Sight Is Personal
When the Bible speaks of God seeing, it’s not a cold, distant observation—it’s intimate and compassionate. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). He sees not only what happens to us but also the pain within us—the tears we cry in secret, the battles we fight alone, the thoughts we dare not share.
For believers, this truth should anchor us: We are never invisible to God. Even if no one else acknowledges our efforts, understands our pain, or celebrates our victories, God sees it all—and He cares.
God Sees in the Wilderness
Like Hagar, we all face seasons where life feels barren, where the road ahead is unclear, and where we feel abandoned. But the wilderness is often where God reveals Himself most powerfully. He shows us that His presence does not depend on our environment but on His character.
David wrote, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Whether in the palace or the desert, the God who sees is there.
God Sees for a Purpose
When God sees, He also acts. His watchfulness is never passive—it leads to intervention, provision, and deliverance. For Hagar, His sight led to a promise: that her son, Ishmael, would become a great nation. For Israel in Egypt, His sight led to their rescue from slavery (Exodus 3:7–8). For us, His sight leads to comfort in trials, strength in weakness, and hope for the future.
God’s watchful care doesn’t always mean He removes the hardship immediately, but it does mean He walks through it with us, shaping our story for His glory.
Living in the Light of His Sight
If you are in a season where you feel unseen, remember this: the One who knit you together in your mother’s womb knows every detail of your life. He has numbered your days, counted your tears, and written your story. You are never forgotten.
Walk with confidence today, not because life is easy, but because the God who sees you has not—and will not—look away.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You see me. In my joys and in my struggles, You never turn away. Help me to rest in the comfort of Your watchful care and to trust that You are working for my good, even when I cannot see it. Amen.