El Roi. The God Who Sees. The God who sees us in every moment, whose eye is always upon us, watching over us. The God who sees us when tears slip down our cheeks, when the weight of the world threatens to crush us. The God who sees us when we sit alone, when anxiety overwhelms, and we can’t seem to cast off those fearful thoughts. The God who sees us in the good and the bad. Always watching. El Roi.
The story of Hagar is a beautiful one, the only time our Father is referred to as El Roi. It’s a story of redemption and hope. In Genesis 16:13, Hagar says this to the LORD: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, I have now seen the One who sees me.” You saw me. The Creator, the Holy One, the Great I Am saw me and didn’t ignore me! But even more than this, Hagar says, “I have seen the One who sees me.” Hagar saw God! In that desolate place, crushed and expecting to die, Hagar saw God.
In moments of great anguish, God not only sees us, but He also reveals Himself to us. Do you remember Elijah? After being chased by Jezebel, he fell into a great depression and cried out to God, saying, “I have had enough, Lord, he said. Take my life.” (1 Kings 19:4b). Strengthened supernaturally by the LORD, he traveled for 40 days to a cave at Mount Horeb, where God revealed Himself to Elijah in a whisper. A voice of intimacy, one where you have to lean in and come close to hear the words.
Hagar wouldn’t have seen God if it weren’t for her brokenness and trials. When all seems lost, remember God sees You! Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, to comfort and encourage. Your loving Father sees you in all your wonderful potential. Washed clean and beautiful by the blood of Jesus. He sees you in your good moments and in your bad. You are never invisible or too small and insignificant – the ever-watchful eyes of your Savior are upon you! He sees you!
Reflections
- What are the areas in your life that you need to be reminded that God truly sees you? What emotions, anxieties, or hidden places are you carrying that you need to bring into His loving gaze?
- How does knowing God is El Roi — the God who sees — change the way you view your current struggles or even loneliness? In what way might He be using this season you are in to reveal Himself to you even more deeply, just as He did with Hagar and Elijah?
- What would it look like for you to hear your Abba Father’s whisper in this season? Are there distractions, fears, or busyness that may keep you from hearing His gentle, quiet voice?
Step By Step
Set aside a few quiet minutes today to sit before the LORD and pray this simple prayer:
“El Roi, You see me. Please reveal Yourself to me today.”
Write down anything you sense the Father speaking to your heart, whether it be a scripture, a word, or a sense of His presence watching over you. Know that you are fully seen, chosen, and loved.
Claire's Prayer 