The God Who Sees

Scripture:

“So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13) 

Reading:

Have you ever felt used? 

Scripture has much to say about that. 

Take Hagar, for example, an Egyptian maidservant reduced to little more than a means to an end. Used as an heir incubator, then mistreated and abandoned, Hagar became collateral damage in what Sarai and Abram believed was a practical way to help fulfill God’s promise. Instead, their misguided solution left Hagar dehumanized and alone.

Sin is never isolated; its effects ripple outward, often through generations. Yet this is precisely where God’s grace meets us. He does not erase our choices, but He does redeem what has been broken. He meets those who have been wounded and restores their dignity as people fully seen by Him.

“So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13 ESV) 

The Angel of the LORD found Hagar in the wilderness and did something deeply personal. He called her by name. He gave her direction, spoke a promise over her son, and left her with a gift no one could take away - mutual recognition. God saw her, and she came to see God for who He truly is. 

In that moment, Hagar discovered she was not invisible and God was not distant. This encounter gave her internal freedom and worth that did not depend on her circumstances or the way others treated her. She was no longer invisible.

All people are made in the image of God and deeply desired by Him. Perhaps God allowed this painful wilderness moment for a young Gentile woman to serve as a reminder for every generation. God sees everyone. And He is merciful.

God sees you, too. He notices your suffering. He watches over you with compassion. And He is faithfully working His good purposes through it all. His greatest good for your life is still unfolding.

Your Turn: 

1. Write down areas in your life where you feel unseen or overlooked. Include where you rely on circumstances, outcomes, or approval for your worth? For each area, note how God has shown that He sees you, whether in big ways or small.

2. How does this truth affect the way you view your own or others’ past mistakes? Ask God to show His redeeming work in that story. Consider one small step toward repair or forgiveness.

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for seeing me and knowing me by name, even in the wilderness seasons of my life. Thank You for watching over me. You are compassionate and faithful. Help me to trust that You are working Your good purposes in me and through me. Amen.