El Roi: the God Who Sees Me
If you’ve ever felt invisible or misunderstood, then Hagar’s story might be the story for you! Hagar’s name isn’t as famous as Sarah’s or Abraham’s, but her journey is one of the most raw and real stories in the Bible.
Hagar was an Egyptian slave, a stranger in a foreign land, caught right in the middle of someone else’s family drama. Her story, found mostly in Genesis 16 and 21, is not just about survival but about being seen and loved by God when no one else cared.
Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
“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.”
Hagar’s Story
Hagar was the maid (or bondwoman) to Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Sarah was desperate for a child, and even though God had promised her a son, she became impatient after years of waiting and came up with her own solution.
She gave Hagar to Abraham to bear a child in her place (this was a common practice in the ancient world). When Hagar became pregnant, things got tense fast. She was despised by Sarah, and Sarah mistreated her. Despite being pregnant, she ran away into the desert, choosing the unknown over Sarah’s cruelty.
But God found her there and instructed her to go back to Sarah, promising that her son would be the father of a great nation. Up till this point, no one else in the Bible had called God by a personal name based on their own experience.
But Hagar does. She calls Him El Roi, meaning “the God who sees me.”
Imagine that. A foreign slave, a woman, pregnant and alone in the desert, and God sees her and speaks directly to her.
So Hagar trusts God and goes back to Sarah.
However, after her son Ishmael is born, Sarah sends her away for good. Hagar once again finds herself alone in the wilderness, but this time with her son Ishmael. When all hope is gone and she’s sure they will die, God shows her a well of water and promises that Ishmael will survive and become a great nation.
Although we don’t hear about Hagar and Ishmael again in the scriptures, their story teaches us that God is faithful, not just to the “main characters” but also to the seemingly overlooked and forgotten people in the world.
Faith in Action
How does Hagar’s story help us live with faith and hope?
- No matter how overlooked you feel, at work, at home, or even in church, God sees and values you. Your pain, your struggles, your tears are noticed by the God who cares deeply.
- Cry Out Honestly: Hagar didn’t hide her feelings. She ran, she wept, she even argued. You can be real with God. Tell Him your fears and frustrations.
- When life feels barren, God often places wells of hope in unexpected places. Keep a lookout for moments of unexpected kindness or provision – they’re signs you’re not alone. Keep notes in your journal that you can look back on.
- Hagar was tangled in other people’s decisions, yet God gave her and her son their own unique destiny. Your worth is not determined by how others treat you or by your circumstances.
- Sometimes, we think God’s promises are for other people – leaders, “good” people, the ones who seem blessed. But Hagar, a foreigner and a servant, was given a promise of hope. God’s heart is for you, too.
Reflection Questions
- When have you felt invisible or overlooked by others? Did you sense God’s presence in those moments?
- Think about a time you felt like you were “in the wilderness.” What “spring of water” did God provide to get you through?
- How do you cope when you’re caught up in someone else’s choices or drama? What do you think it would look like to trust God with the outcome?
- Hagar calls God “the God who sees me.” What does that name mean to you in your current situation?
- Do you ever feel like God’s promises are for others, but not for you? How can Hagar’s story challenge that belief?
- Is there someone in your life who feels invisible or forgotten? How can you reflect God’s love to them this week?
- What circumstances or relationships do you need to surrender and trust that God sees and cares for every detail?
Affirmation
God sees me, loves me, and cares for me no matter where I am or what I’m going through.
Prayer for the Day
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for noticing me, even when I feel alone or misunderstood. Just like Hagar, I sometimes wander in the wilderness of hurt, rejection, or fear. Remind me that You are El Roi, the God who sees and cares for every part of my life and my story. Open my eyes to the wells of hope You’ve placed in my life, and help me trust that Your promises are for me, too. Give me the courage to be honest with You and to believe that no situation is beyond Your compassion or redemption. Help me to offer Your love to others who feel forgotten. Thank You for never letting me go unseen.
Amen.
This devotional is part of our curated devotional collection for those who are hurting.
Whether you’re navigating grief, illness, or deep wounds, you’ll find more biblical comfort and gentle hope in our full library of Devotionals for Healing, Grief, and Loss .
