READ: Genesis 16 (Focus vs. 5-13)
MEMORY VERSE
You are the God who sees me. Genesis 16:13
BACKGROUND
When Sun’s husband had a stroke, her life took a dramatic turn. She found herself having to assist her husband with the activities of daily living and cope with his emotional outbursts.
For seventeen years, she’d faithfully cared for her husband. When a fall hastened his decline, however, the weight of caregiving finally became too much, and Sun sank into depression. “I felt I’d lost my faith,” she shared, “and I couldn’t see God.”
But looking back, Sun now believes that God saw her because He provided subsidized home medical and nursing care to manage her husband’s chronic condition and sent social workers to support Sun in managing the emotional challenges of caregiving.
God revealed himself as the God who sees in the story of Hagar. In Genesis 16, the slave Hagar was running away from her mistress’ mistreatment (v. 6) when the “angel of the Lord” found her “near a spring in the desert” (v. 7).
He urged Hagar to “go back to [her] mistress” (v. 9) and assured her of His blessing. Even though Hagar was a nobody in her culture, God was watching out for her well-being. In gratitude, Hagar declared, “You are the God who sees me” (v. 13).
God sees us in our distress too. We’re never alone because our loving Father knows our situation, and He’s trustworthy. We can cry out to Him for help, and He’ll lift us up.
Poh Fang Chia
INSIGHT
The Bible introduces us early to a God who hears and sees each of us. In the midst of Hagar’s distress in Genesis 16, she names her son Ishmael, which means “God hears” (v. 11).
Hearing implies listening attentively. God also sees Hagar’s distress. She feels isolated, alone, and abandoned, but He’s already listening and watching. She confesses, “You are the God who sees me” (v. 13).
Later when Abraham prepares to sacrifice his son Isaac, he too recognizes God’s oversight. He names the place, “The Lord Will Provide” (22:14), or literally, He “sees.” Today, we can also be assured that God hears and sees us in our distress, and that He’s with us.
APPLICATION
How have you experienced that God sees and knows your need in the past? How can this knowledge help you in your present trials?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“God sees us in our distress too. We’re never alone because our loving Father knows our situation, and He’s trustworthy. We can cry out to Him for help, and He’ll lift us up.”
PR’s TAKE
God not only sees us, He Hears us; Understands us and is interested in where we are going.” Pastor David Matthews
PRAYER
“Dear Father, thank You for assuring me that You see what I’m going through.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“HE KNOWS MY NAME”
He counts the stars, one and all
He knows how much sand is on the shores
He sees every sparrow that falls
He made the mountains and the seas
He’s in control of everything
Of all creatures, great and small
And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
When I’m overwhelmed by the pain
And can’t see the light of day
I know I’ll be just fine
‘Cause He knows my name
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring
I can’t tell you what’s in store
I don’t know a lot of things
I don’t have all the answers
To the questions of life
But I know in Whom I have believed
And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make
Every tear that I cry
He knows my name
When I’m overwhelmed by the pain
And can’t see the light of day
I know I’ll be just fine
‘Cause He knows my name
He knew who I was
When He carried my cross
He knew that I would fail Him
But He took the loss
And He knows my name
Every step that I take
Every move that I make…
When I’m overwhelmed by the pain
And can’t see the light of day
I know I’ll be just fine
