Originally posted: 01/15/2019
“And you shall call his name Ishmael [“God hears”], because the LORD has given heed to your affliction,” (16:11).
Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God who sees [El-Roi] … Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi,” [“the well of the Living One who sees me”] (16:13-14).
Consider Him Who Hears and Sees
Remember consider means “to think carefully about, especially in order to make a decision.”
He hears us. “Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O LORD, You know it all,” (Psalm 139:4).
He sees us. “The LORD looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men; From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth,” (Psalm 33:13-14).
He finds us. The LORD finds Hagar in the middle of nowhere, in the midst of her despair and hopelessness, in a place without purpose or direction. “Now the angel of the LORD found her… ” (16:7). Don’t miss this! The LORD finds her! He went looking for her! It was His initiative, His compassion that moved Him to take action.
He commands us. He shows up in order to give direction to a wayward and needy Hagar. He commands so she will know her next step, and He fully expects her to obey, “Return…submit…” (16:9).
He promises. He promises what only He can do. “Moreover, the angel of the LORD said to her, ‘I will greatly multiply your descendants…because the LORD has given heed to your affliction.’ “ (16:10-11).
How do we decidedly respond to Him Who Hears and Sees?
Determine to go to Him with our cries and requests in every situation; He hears. “In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry for help before Him came into His ears,” (Psalm 18:6). In full confidence we can take all our concerns to Him in faith.
Place ourselves humbly under His command. Resolve to obey Him as He directs and submit to His authority alone. “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,” (1 Peter 5:6).
Decide to be honest before Him; He sees. “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). Ask Him to enable us to tear down our makeshift facades. Be quick to confess, for He already knows. Confess sin of course, but also confess our fears, our hopes, our desires, fully persuaded that He cares. “…casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7).
Fix our faith on Him; expect His compassion to find us. “Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, and therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you…,” (Isaiah 30:18).
Receive His promises with unwavering faith. Trust that He Who Hears and Sees will respond in His proper time. “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him,” (Hebrews 11:6).
What greater reward than to know Him Who Hears and Sees, and to know He rewards us with what He alone can give…His very Presence!