Susan had suffered one disappointment after another, and she was feeling disillusioned with God. She asked me and another friend to pray with her, and we gladly did. I’ll never forget my friend’s prayer, “Lord, let Susan know You love her—that You see her.” The next day Susan thanked us for our prayers. She said she’d been feeling invisible, and our prayers helped her to feel visible again. She knew afresh that God saw her.
This really is the key, isn’t it? The toughest part of any trial is wondering how much we and our problems matter to others. We can endure most anything when we know we count—that we’re seen.
The story of Hagar is a powerful illustration of this. Hagar had been abused by the first family of our faith. Sarai had forced her to become a subordinate wife to Abram to give them a child through her and then became jealous when Hagar became pregnant and stopped respecting her. Perhaps her pregnancy made her see herself as more than a slave. In response, “Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away” (Genesis 16:6).
But an angel found Hagar in the wilderness and told her to name her son “Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’)”, because “the Lord . . . heard [her] cry of distress” (Genesis 16:11). Although the path ahead wouldn’t be easy, Hagar now knew God would not abandon her. She called Him El-roi, which means, “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
What difficulty has you wondering whether you matter to God? The One who heard Hagar’s cries in the desert also has His eyes locked on you. He knows where you are and what pain you’re enduring. The road ahead may be difficult, but you’ll walk every step in full view of El-roi, the God who sees you.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 9:27-38
More:
Read Luke 8:40-56 to see how Jesus views those in need.
Next:
Why is it essential to believe God sees you? How can you help yourself and others to believe this?
darylcrisp on July 13, 2017 at 3:37 am
the hardest moments of my life God has been there-right there, and immediate. I thank Him for his grace and mercy, neither of which I deserve.
godlove on July 13, 2017 at 4:58 am
Thank you very much for today’s devo, Mike. I agree that simply knowing that God sees and hears me in my trials always gives me courage to endure difficult situations. Our faith in God gives us the confidence that He cares for us at all times. Therefore, regardless of the circumstances of life, we can always put our trust in God, knowing that He sees and He cares, and He would never allow us to undergo suffering for the mere sake of it. I pray for strength from the Spirit to lean on GOD in every situation and also pray that the Holy Spirit helps us to never allow ourselves get disillusioned with GOD due to life’s difficulties. As my mother usually says, “every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.” God’s love is so great that our temporary difficulties are probably just part of His greater plan for our own good in the long-run.
Mike Wittmer on July 13, 2017 at 8:02 am
godlove: I find that it’s the disappointments that keep me humble and trusting Jesus. I get “too big for my britches” when I have a good run of success, and may even find it hard to pray until trouble comes. I wish I wasn’t like that, but again, this is the reason I need Jesus!
Gary Shultz on July 13, 2017 at 5:40 am
Hi Mike: Certainly a human happening to be sure. Throughout the OT people wondered where God was, did He see? Godlove’s mother gives wise advice, she has walked a few miles and has learned patience in life. Circumstances do squeeze us into worrisome thoughts and we doubt if anyone, even God cares. The emotional, fretful response must be rolled back on God’s promises. Life changes continually, but the promises do not. When God has assured us of His care, it was not wishful thinking, He meant what He said, and He is faithful to His word and His word endures. So what’s the problem? Even when we are down, nice, kind people, begin to doubt. Adam and Eve found out, sin started with that doubt from within. Feeling discouraged and down, lonely, not cared for, or insignificant, seems so humbly innocent, but nurtured doubt is, what it is sin. Jesus cared enough to give His life, He doesn’t back away from His love. Thanks Mike
don777 on July 13, 2017 at 6:32 am
I always take myself back to the cross. Jesus Loves us so much that He took our place upon the Cross. So if He was to do that for us & call us His children, then why would He ever take His eyes off of us. The assurance of His Word through His Holy Spirit. Draw near to God & He will draw near to us. Relationship is a correspondence between both parties. This is Gods desire, for a relationship with us. We talk to Him (pray) & we listen to Him (His Word, devotions etc.) Every day. Feelings are not always Truth. and we have to stand on Truth. Jesus is our Rock. +>i
Mike Wittmer on July 13, 2017 at 7:59 am
don777: I agree with your assessment of our feelings. Our feelings are fallen too, so why should we give them the benefit of the doubt? Go with what we know to be true, even when we may not feel them to be true.
Tom Felten on July 13, 2017 at 8:53 am
Mike, I’m reminded of these words from our loving God, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). Yes, He’s with us and and He sees us!