10/11/05
Encouragement for Today
“Eli Roi: The God Who Sees”
Micca Campbell, Director of Outreach, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Genesis 16:13, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (NKJV)
Devotion:
Have you ever had a friendship that went sour? Perhaps you were once close but then she did something that hurt you and all you wanted to do is run as far away from her as you could?
That’s how Hagar felt about her relationship with Sarai when she forced Hagar into a situation that she had no say in. From Hagar’s perspective, it was offensive to force her into a relationship with a man with whom she had not chosen to be.
Yet, Sarai, not considering Hagar’s feelings, was only looking out for herself. It was embarrassing to be barren – especially when your husband believed that God had promised him a child, not just any child, but a special one at that. So like we often do, Sarai compromised something she cared about in order to “help” God keep his promise to Abram, her husband. It worked, too. Hagar conceived a child.
Sarai became lessened in the eyes of Hagar. She despised her mistress and began to taunt Sarai. I can image the games that went on between the two of them.
“Hagar, would you get me some water from the well?” Sarai would ask expectantly.
“I’d love to do that for you, Sarai, but I can’t. I’m…pregnant.” Hagar would reply rubbing her belly as if to “rub” in the fact that she was with child and Sarai was not.
Sarai blamed her failing relationship with Hagar on Abram. This is typical of someone who doesn’t take responsibility for his or her own choices. As a result, Abram handed Hagar over to Sarai’s complete authority. I guess he didn’t want to deal with their broken relationship either.
The cruelness of Sarai and the abandonment of Abram were more than Hagar could take, and she ran for home. Before she could reach
God saw everything. He saw when Hagar was mistreated, He saw her fear, and He saw her pain and her need to run for comfort.
El Roi sees your pain, too. He sees the injustice that has been done to you as a result of living in a fallen world. God cares enough to meet you where you are. Have you been running? What are you running to? Do you know that you can run straight into the arms of a God who is more than sufficient to meet your need?
The first step to healing is acknowledging the One who is sufficient to help us. Singer/songwriter, Gwen Smith, also recognizes this truth in her song, “The One Who Sees Me.” She sings:
"I lift my eyes to the One who sees me; no matter where I am...no matter where I am. I lift my soul to the One who lifts me…with a loving hand…no matter were I am…no matter where I am.”
What dark place are you in? You may feel alone and abandoned in your pain but the God who sees, sees you. There is nowhere we can go or hide that He is not. There is no place that is out of our heavenly Father’s reach. His arm is strong enough to pull us out, and His love is strong enough to see us through, when we lift our eyes to Him. Then, will we be able to see clearly the God, who sees us.
My Prayer for Today:
Dear God, give me eyes to see that I am not alone, but that You are with me. Heal my deep wounds that only You know are there with Your love. Smooth over my scares with Your gentle hand and lift my head so that I may see You: my help and my strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Read Psalm 139. Ask God to show you how intimately He knows you; where you are, where you are going, and the days He has given to you. Then, look to Him with trust and love as He guides you in the way you should go.
Reflections Points:
Are you disappointed with your circumstances?
Do you feel that you are alone and no one cares?
Are you willing to look to God for the comfort and assurance you need?
He sees what you hide from others. Will you let Him touch those empty places with His hand of love?
Power Verses:
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will heal thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (KJV)
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (NKJV)
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” (NKJV)
Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (NKJV)
Additional Resources:
Because (Music CD), by Gwen Smith
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_because.htm
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, book, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_whatHappens.htm
Coming Out of the Dark, by Mary Southerland
Originally published Tuesday, 11 October 2005.
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