She gave this name [El Roi] to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me.”  Genesis 16:13

This beautiful name for God was spoken by the least likely candidate ~ a young woman, a slave, not a daughter of Israel, despised and in dire circumstances.  She had been sexually used by a giant of the faith, a patriarch, Abraham.  She had been verbally abused by Sarai, Abraham’s wife, who was barren and jealous of Hagar’s fertility.  

All of this set up Hagar’s desire to escape the presence of her master.  She fled and went into the desert.  Her heart was aching.  She was willing to subject herself to the unknowns of the wilderness rather than stay in unbearable circumstances.  An angel came to Hagar and told her that the Lord had heard of her misery and then he blessed her.  Favor was shown to her before she ever uttered a prayer.  She called God, El Roi, ‘for I have seen the One who sees me.’ 

God sees and hears our affliction before he hears our cries for help.  Before prayers are formed, his compassion has already been engaged.  A desperate exile into the desert set the stage for Hagar to see God.  Completely alone, with no competing voices, she was ripe for a divine encounter.

There are periods of our lives when we’d do anything to escape our predicament.  I’ve had more than a few periods like that.  Perhaps you are in one at this very moment.  God sees you struggling to hold on when you don’t think you can cope any longer.  He sees you taking a breath and holding your tongue when unfair accusations are being spewed.  He sees you giving your best, yet again, to someone who doesn’t appreciate it.  He sees you worrying about medical bills, knowing that paying them is impossible with what’s in your bank account.  He sees your disappointment over a marriage that leaves you lonely and heartbroken.  

God sees. He sees before you pray.  He’s moved by your distress even before you’ve stretched out your faith.  God is near you.  Right now.  You are poised for a divine encounter with El Roi.   

Sometimes, I’ve been too tired to tell you my story.  But You already know.  You’ve been watching and You’ve seen me.  Thank you.  Amen