God Sees Me and Cares

Abraham’s wife, Sarah, had what she thought was a brilliant idea to fulfill God’s promise to her and Abraham that they would have a son. Rather than waiting for God’s timetable, she convinced Abraham to conceive a child with her servant, Hagar, so Hagar could bear a child for them.

But once Hagar became pregnant she lorded it over Sarah, and in response, Sarah mistreated Hagar so badly that she took her baby and ran away into the wilderness. There, the angel of the Lord found her and told her to return to her mistress, promising her a future for the child she carried. Hagar was so touched by this encounter that she referred to God as “the God Who sees.” She said, “In this place, have I actually seen the One who sees me?”[1]

Although used by her mistress to fulfill her own plans, God Himself was looking over her and came to her personally to reassure her that He had a plan for her and her unborn child.

When she returned to Sarah’s household, peace did not reign between them. Likely still feeling used and belittled, Hagar’s attitude again turned sour when Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Furious, Sarah demanded that Abraham send her and her son away. With a heavy heart, he did.

This time she ran out of food and water in the wilderness, and her son was close to death. But again God did not forget her. He spoke to her again, assuring her of the plan He had for her son, and then miraculously provided water right there in the wilderness, saving her son’s life. [2]

This story has God’s redemptiveness and compassion written all over it. Abraham and Sarah stepped outside of God’s plan and involved an innocent bystander in their scheme to get what they wanted, without any regard for Hagar as a person. But God didn’t desert Hagar. God created and loved her as much as he did Abraham and Sarah. When others used her for their own purposes and then rejected and discarded her, He reassured her of His love and plan for her and her son, and took care of them both.

Hagar was by no means the last person to be used by others. Many individuals have been used by others for their own purposes, and then discarded. Sometimes it’s by a spouse or boyfriend or girlfriend, other times by a trusted friend or family member. The shame and rejection that follows can be overwhelming and devastating.

If you are going through such a situation, be assured God sees you and what you are going through. He loves you and cares about you and will come to your aid as you call out to Him. He will never forget you, never abandon you, never forsake you.[3] He has a purpose and plan for you, and regardless of the actions of others who seem to have destroyed your life, He will fulfill his plan for you.

He is the God who sees you, the God who loves you, and the God who brings good out of everything![4]

[1] Genesis 16:13

[2] Genesis 21:17-20

[3] Hebrews 13:5

[4] Romans 8:28