A God Who Sees Me (El Roi)

Many times in life, we experience trials and temptations in which we feel alone. During this time of anguish, we may feel that no one cares for our soul. We often bring these feelings on ourselves that can lead to further despondency. These feelings are one of Satan’s most immobilizing tools that he uses against us. But, as you might expect, it is a lie that he encourages us to believe through other human channels who may judge us harshly or treat us with contempt or disrespect. Here is the pivot point in response to this critical moment because it can either tear us down or encourage us. The answer to these feelings is to turn our focus on the One who does care and is holding out hope for you to overcome. He cares because He knows the steps we take and the thoughts we create. He knows because He sees everything I do, feel, and think.

It is equally important to realize that the God who sees all, cares. You and I matter to Him, equally as there is no partiality with Him. It is truly amazing once we accept the teaching of the Scripture that God that upholds all things by the word of His power, created the world, and now, maintains it is the same God who sees you and me. Whatever distress we are going through, he sees and cares. Therefore, we are never alone! Solomon wrote, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place keeping watch on the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

We first learn of this description of God with the life of Hagar, Sarai’s handmaid, who thought she was abandoned and all alone. Sarai had given her to Abraham to bear a son for him. Since Sarai was barren and God had promised he would give them a son, they took matters in their own hands and chose Hagar to be the mother of that son of promise. Sarai’s plan backfired on her after Hagar conceived. Hagar’s self-worth and position in Abraham’s house were greatly improved after her conception. She treated Sarai with contempt because she accomplished what Sarai had failed to accomplish. Sarai came to Abraham in anger demanding that he take action against her. He wanted no part in it but told Saria that she could do what she thought proper to Hagar. She was her handmaid. Sarai was so harsh to Hagar in return, that Hagar ran away. Comparatively speaking, Sarah was an important woman in the plan to bless the world through the seed of Abraham. Hagar would have to play “second fiddle” to her and was only a slave. Yet, even Hagar was not forgotten. She was pregnant and alone in the wilderness when she was confronted, comforted, and challenged by the God of Abraham, whom she named El Roi—the God who Sees Me. This is the first and only time this name is used for God. Yet, it describes the God we know in Scripture who is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.