“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” – Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION
In a world increasingly flooded with voices, faces, and distractions, it is easy to feel invisible. For some, this invisibility is born out of suffering, rejection, loneliness, or failure. We go through life wondering: “Does anyone truly see me?” Into that silence comes a name—one whispered in the desert, not by a patriarch or prophet, but by an outcast slave girl: El Roi, the God who sees.
Genesis 16 introduces us to Hagar, an Egyptian servant mistreated by her mistress, Sarah, and overlooked by Abraham. Pregnant, abandoned, and despairing in the wilderness, Hagar has an encounter with the Living God that would echo through eternity. God doesn’t merely hear her cries—He sees her, calls her by name, and speaks promises over her unborn child.
The name El Roi—“The God who sees me”—reminds us that we are never truly alone. Not in our pain. Not in our wilderness. Not in our wandering. The God of all creation has His eyes fixed on us. This truth changes everything.
THE GOD WHO SEES
The revelation of El Roi is rich with theological truth and tender intimacy. It declares something profound: God is not just omniscient in a vast, cosmic sense—He is personally attentive to His people.
1. He Sees Our Pain
Hagar was running from mistreatment, from fear, and perhaps even from herself. But God found her. In the wild, hot desert of Shur, He met her not with rebuke, but with compassion. He asked, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” (Genesis 16:8).
This is the heart of El Roi. He asks not because He lacks information, but because He cares. The God who sees is the God who engages.
Many of us walk through seasons of hidden pain—misunderstood, dismissed, or entirely unknown by those around us. But God sees every tear. Psalm 56:8 says, “You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Not one cry goes unnoticed. Not one ache escapes His gaze.
2. He Sees Our Potential
God did not merely acknowledge Hagar’s suffering—He gave her hope. He spoke life into her future: “You shall give birth to a son… his name will be Ishmael” (Genesis 16:11), which means “God hears.” Her wilderness encounter was not the end of her story, but the beginning of purpose.
God sees not just where we are, but who we are becoming in Him. Others may define us by our failures, our origins, or our present struggles, but El Roi sees our destiny. In 1 Samuel 16:7, God reminds the prophet Samuel: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” He sees the masterpiece within the mess.
3. He Sees Us When We Feel Forgotten
Hagar’s second encounter with God came after Sarah sent her away again (Genesis 21). Alone in the desert with her child, she placed Ishmael under a bush and walked away, unable to watch him die. It was then that God called to her from heaven and provided water in the wilderness.
God doesn’t forget us after the first miracle. He is not a one-time rescuer. He is the God who continues to see, provide, and intervene—even when we’ve lost hope. He watches over the widow, the orphan, the foreigner, the prisoner—and the heart that feels abandoned.
4. He Sees Our Worship
It is noteworthy that Hagar gave God a name—a rare and sacred thing. She said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” Worship flows naturally when we encounter the personal God who sees. Her response was not theological speculation; it was the worshipful cry of a heart that had been noticed, known, and loved.
When we feel unseen by others, the truth that God sees us stirs up a personal song of praise. He doesn’t just see crowds; He sees individuals. He doesn’t just hear choirs; He hears your whisper. And that matters to Him.
WHAT THE GOD WHO SEES ACCOMPLISHES IN US
- Comfort in Our Wilderness
No matter how far we feel from the comfort of community or the warmth of belonging, El Roi is near. His eyes are on us, and He meets us even in the dry places.
- Security in Our Identity
If God sees us, we do not need to scramble for human approval or validation. Our identity is not shaped by who ignores us but by the One who sees and knows us fully.
- Hope in Our Journey
The One who saw Hagar’s future sees ours too. The desert is not our destination. God is still writing our story.
- Courage to See Others
When we embrace the God who sees, we begin to reflect Him. We notice the overlooked. We extend compassion to the forgotten. Our spiritual sight is sharpened by His example.
CONCLUSION
To believe in El Roi—the God who sees you—is to believe in a God who is deeply personal, endlessly compassionate, and unceasingly attentive. He saw Hagar when no one else did. He sees you—in your doubts, in your dreams, in your breaking points, in your breakthroughs.
Let this name settle into your soul: The God who sees me. Not just your mask, not just your role in society, not just your church face—but the real you. The wounded, weary, wandering, waiting you. And He loves you still.
So today, whether you find yourself in a wilderness or a place of abundance, whisper these words with faith: “El Roi, You see me.” Let it anchor your heart. Let it transform your prayers. Let it shape your worship. And let it assure you that the God who sees is also the God who saves.
- This article is Inspired by Jordan Wilbanks’ “Who You Really Are”
Remain Blessed!
Please note that the preaching program on Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays at 5:30 am has been temporarily put on hold. However, please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays at 5:30 am and YFM 107.9 – Sundays at 6:30 am for our Radio Bible Study, as well as on Sunny 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm for Hymns and Their Stories.