Today's devotional scripture is Genesis 16:1–13. Take time to read it before we jump in together in this devotional. No Bible? No problem, CLICK HERE for the scripture.
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There’s a lot going on in Genesis 16—drama, impatience, and a whole lot of human decision-making. But right in the middle of the mess, we get one of the most beautiful glimpses of God’s character in all of Scripture.
We’re introduced to Sarai (soon to be Sarah). God had promised her and Abram (soon to be Abraham) that they’d have descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 12 and 15). But it had been years. Still no kids. Sarai’s patience is wearing thin. So, she decides to take matters into her own hands: “Take my servant Hagar, have a child with her, and we’ll raise him.”
Now, I don’t know about you, but while most of us aren’t out here encouraging our spouse to marry someone else, we do know what it’s like to get tired of waiting on God. We hear His promise, and when it’s not happening fast enough, we jump in with, “It’s my blessing, and I want it now!” (Cue the JG Wentworth jingle.)
And Abram? He just says, “Okay.” I always imagine him shrugging like, “Sure, if you say so…” Not his finest moment.
Well, as expected, it all falls apart. Hagar does get pregnant, but things get tense—fast. Sarai treats her harshly, and Hagar runs away, alone and heartbroken.
And that’s where God steps in.
The angel of the Lord finds Hagar in the wilderness. Not after she gets her life back together. Not when she’s cleaned up and polished. Rather in the middle of the mess.
God calls her by name—Hagar. That’s a big deal! She was a servant, and it’s likely she hadn’t been addressed by name in a long time. But God sees her. Knows her. Meets her there with truth, a promise, and grace.
Hagar responds by calling God something powerful—El Roi: “You are the God who sees me.” It’s the only time this name is used in the Bible, and it’s deeply personal. The God of the universe sees Hagar. And He sees you too.
Here’s what I want you to hold onto today:
1. God sees you in your struggles.
Maybe you feel invisible—at work, in your family, even at church. But God hasn’t missed a moment. He sees every quiet act of love, every tear you’ve cried, every prayer you’ve whispered.
2. God sees you when you feel alone.
Hagar was in a literal wilderness. Maybe you’re in an emotional or spiritual one. But you are not alone there. The same God who found her can find you.
3. God sees you even when you’ve messed up.
Hagar wasn’t perfect. Neither was Sarai. Neither was Abram. But God didn’t abandon them—He stepped in with grace and a plan. He does the same for us.
You are not invisible. The God who saw Hagar sees you too.
Let that truth sink deep into your heart today.