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Seeing Myself Through God’s Eyes
By Carolyn Dale Newell
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, Have I also here seen Him who sees me? Genesis 16:13 NKJV
I cringe when I recall the moment I met my favorite internationally-known author. I embarrassed myself, and I felt stupid, but God saw me as His wise daughter. He saw, as the author did, the courage it took to reach this milestone in my life.
One of God’s names in Scripture is El Roi, The God Who Sees. It only appears in our focal verse when Hagar, Sarah’s maid was speaking to God.
Sarah and Abraham had used Hagar in their scheme to have children. Once she conceived, Sarah dealt harshly with her. Hagar fled from the unbearable situation she found herself in. God saw her pain. He promised blessings on her son, Ishmael, as He told her to return to Abraham and Sarah.
What does God see when He sees His children struggling? When we feel ashamed and unwanted like Hagar? When we face awkward, embarrassing moments? When we feel frustrated, broken, unlovable, or unworthy? When we feel ugly or overweight?
God sees His adopted child who He chose before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5). He chose to adopt us as His own. He didn’t just get stuck with us because God knew exactly who we would be, yet, He brought us into His family as heirs (Eph. 1:11).
In order to adopt us, He had to redeem us (Eph. 1:7). God purchased us at a very high price, the blood of Christ.
God has given us divine wisdom (Eph. 1:8), something the world cannot possess. Even when we flounder, He sees His wise child.
As you look in the mirror today, ignore the gray hairs, wrinkles and flaws. God sees you as flawless.
Stop looking at yourself through the world’s eyes, but see yourself in the eyes of God.
Read Ephesians 1:3-14. God sees you as:
▪ Blessed (v. 3)
▪ Chosen (v. 4)
▪ Holy (v. 4)
▪ Blameless (v. 4)
▪ Loved (v. 4)
▪ Predestined (v. 5)
▪ Adopted (v. 5)
▪ Abounding in grace (v. 6)
▪ Accepted (v. 6)
▪ Redeemed (v. 7)
▪ Forgiven (v. 7)
▪ Rich (v. 7)
▪ Wise (v. 8)
▪ Prudent (v. 8)
▪ Heir (v. 11)
▪ Sealed (v. 13)
Heavenly Father, many times, I see myself through the eyes of the world. I fail to recognize myself as the precious child of God. Help me see who I really am. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2016 by Carolyn Dale Newell. All rights reserved.
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Originally published Tuesday, 23 August 2016.
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