When I think of time alone in the wilderness, I imagine the desert fathers and mothers, ancient Christians who withdrew to solitary places to seek the Lord, meditate on Scripture, and pray. It’s easy for me to romanticize that experience. I can picture myself in that scene—it’s just God and me, quiet communion away from the noise and bustle of everyday life, footprints in the sand, and all that. I imagine a journey towards clarity, calm, and peace.
This may be the image in my mind, but it doesn’t match the wilderness experiences found in Scripture. Today we meet an enslaved woman who ran away from home to the wilderness as an escape. Later, she was forced out of her home as a punishment. She didn’t expect to encounter God in the desert, but that is exactly what happened.
The first time Hagar wandered into the wilderness, she was pregnant with her master’s child. As the baby grew in her womb, hatred grew in her heart towards her mistress, Sarai. Hatred grew in Sarai, too, and she began to mistreat her pregnant slave. In desperation, Hagar fled from her abuser into the desert. Panic must have set in as she feared dehydration, starvation, violence from animal and human predators, and death.
Clarity, calm, and peace were nowhere to be found until the angel of the Lord found her and called her by name. Up to this point in the narrative, the vulnerable woman had only been referred to by others as “the slave.” Now, Hagar is seen, known, and named. She is cared for with promises of protection, offspring, and a future nation. In turn, Hagar names the Lord “El-roi,” meaning “the God who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
This mutual naming and knowing is an astonishing, desert-born gift. Strengthened by God, Hagar returned home and gave birth to her son, Ishmael. Her complicated home life was surely difficult, but she lived in the reality that God was personal and intimately involved in the details of her life. He knew her by name.
Years later, hatred and jealousy flared again. Hagar and Ishmael were forced out of their home. I wonder if Hagar purposefully headed toward the desert in hopes that El-roi would meet her there again. Spoiler alert: He did. He heard Ishmael’s cries, addressed Hagar by name once more, and reaffirmed His care by providing water and reminding her of His promises.
Are you in a wilderness today? Maybe you’re all too familiar with the desperation, even panic, of wandering. Maybe your journey feels disorienting, unpredictable, and frightening. The truth is that our feelings don’t negate the reality that God sees us, hears us, and cares for us. Psalm 34:7 reminds us that “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he rescues them.” Are you wandering in the wild? You’re not alone. El-roi encamps around you. He sees you and hears you, and He calls you by name.
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98 thoughts on "For He Sees You and Hears You"
A reminder for me to rely on him at all times
Jehovah El-Roi, the God who sees me
Thank you Lord for meeting us in our deepest needs and calling us by name! Your love is great.
Amen❤️ to be seen by God is the greatest gift.
I will continue to seek you God! I will not be anxious and put all faith into you ❤️ you will not lead me astray but give me the desires of my heart
My husband is currently walking through the wilderness and has been for almost a year. He doubts Gods love and care for him. He angry at the Lord and feel abandoned by him. Please pray with me that these truths spoken in these scriptures and this devotion would break through to his heart in a way that he can hear. Meeting the Lord in the wilderness and recognizing he never left him. The Lord has been by his side the whole
He calls me by name ♥️
Indeed! I love the reminder of El-Roi. Loved what you shared in your comments ❤️
Today’s lesson made me really emotional actually. Hagar’s despair is heartbreaking and relatable. The Lord calls her by name, He knows her name and calls on her, reassuring her of His goodness. She calls Him by name. And the name El-roi is SO good. “The God who sees me”. How perfect? This is yet another lesson that God is who He promises.
Needed this today. Feel like I have been wandering in the wilderness for a while now. Ready to be out and know what God has in store for me
I am certainly in the wilderness right now. My feelings do not dictate God’s love for me. amen.
I will seek the Lord in the wilderness!
This was exactly what I needed today. God knows me, even in this wilderness, and He has a plan despite all of my anxiety and uncertainty. God is good.
He will be with you in every desert, no matter how dry. Praying for you Shelley.
I need to know God sees and hears me. I go tomorrow for a diagnostic mammogram and sonogram cause my dr felt something on exam. I am so scared I feel sick to my stomach. Hoping God will speak to me through this bible study.
he sees, hears, and knows me.
❤
It’s humbling to know God sees me. Who am I to be on His mind?
Just the title of today’s reading is a comforting reminder slicing through my circumstances… the scriptures and comments… true blessing to keep coming back to when needed.
To not fear is to trust in God completely, perfect love drives out ALL fear! May I not be of little faith but full of faith in God.
I really liked this one. I suffer from anxiety this is one to reread during rough days
Churchmouse thank you for sharing intimate details of your journey. I too have felt unseen the majority of my life. I have read these passages multiple times. But today’s the first time they resonated in the way that I needed them to. I love how God is always on time! God bless you all today! I’m trying to catch up on my readings I have fallen behind.
Congratulations and Amen!
Just chose to read this devotional this morning after having my second daughter last night. God heard our plea for a safe delivery and not having a sick baby like my first daughter was. So redemptive ❤️
I have gained so much wisdom reading through your comments! CHURCHMOUSE thank you for your vulnerable sharing about your story. I too often feel unseen and like I am on the outside looking in, thank you for helping rebuke my “self pitty party” tendencies. I have some praying and repenting to do in that area! ANGIE I will continue to pray for your situation. I had a recent circumstance in which I had to learn to forgive someone while they were still unwilling to stop their behavior towards me. I was given the same advice you have shared here: God has forgiven me much despite my continued shortcomings so I must extend that same forgiveness to others despite their continued shortcomings. That is Grace and Mercy….that is the unconditional love of Christ ❤️ I have been praying to God to help me find a name to address him that could help me to feel a closer personal relationship with him….El ROI keeps coming up! I will keep praying to see if this may be God’s answer ❤️ have a great Weekend She’s!
I needed this reading today ❤️
Thank you Father for providing for our material needs but also our emotional ones. You see us and we find our identity in you. Help us to remain in that identity and not be swayed by other’s opinions and values.
Lizzie, I feel the same way and get annoyed with it. I’d like to believe/hope that in the end… It was better for Haggar and her son once they were out of the dessert and free from Abraham and Sarah (especially Sarah lol). That perhaps God wanted Abraham to listen to Sarah because he knew it would be better for them in Egypt… who knows though.
♥️ Churchmouse, I love learning this is your favorite name for our God. Just to encourage you, I look for you in our community everyday and pray for your requests. Thank you for sharing. I consider you a friend.
I will not be shaken!
I’ve always felt for Hagar – she was a slave who had very little say as to what happened to her and her life. Honestly this is one of those stories that I have questions about when I get to heaven. I know God took care of her and Ishmael and ultimately she ended up back in Egypt, but I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that God told the patriarch of our faith and an entire nation to listen to his jealous wife and abandon his own son. I know God is merciful and just, but I just want to understand that better.
I’ve always felt for Hagar – she was a slave who had very little say as to what happened to her and her life. I m
7 The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them. – Psalms 34:7
God hears our affliction! He never leaves us.
I have been so anxious lately about the future and it has been debilitating I’m struggling to be honest but I’m trying more everyday
It is comforting to know that God knows me by name and that He loves me. He will change my wondering into blessings.
Jennifer – my life exactly. It feels so good to have someone understand.
I wonder if we’ll have name tags in heaven, and under our names will be SRT. We know each other here, and we’ll know each other there. But will we just KNOW, you know?
From He Reads Truth- BY BYRON JACKSON (So good)!
Just as Hagar in Genesis 16, we do not always seek trouble. The complexity of life can land us in troubling predicaments that we did not seek or desire. Though God’s care for us is not limited to any situation, it is in these moments that we often wonder if God sees our suffering and hears our cries. It can be frustrating when God gives promises with no timeline. It is daunting to trust God’s destination when He chooses not to give us clear and complete directions. But God’s love for us will never lead us to a place where God cannot speak to us. God’s goodness does not stop at His words but is further realized in His faithful presence (Psalm 34:4).
May we find hope in today’s reading, knowing that while we travel—discouraged, weary, and confused—on the road of suffering, God speaks to us (Genesis 16:12–13). Like Hagar, we can trust that God will keep His promise (Psalm 34:8–9). Her response to God seeing her affliction is not simply that He has seen her, but that she has the privilege of seeing the One who looks after her. Hagar can follow God’s direction without fear, for the God of seeing knows where she is and has a plan despite her situation.
And today, God is still the God of seeing. He hears our cries and meets us in our trouble. He answers our pleas and lifts our eyes. God knows just what we need, when we need it, and how we need it (Lamentations 3:55–60). Therefore, do not fear. As you follow God by faith, seek God and His kingdom, resting in the knowledge that He is faithful to handle all of life’s matters (Matthew 6:25–34).
Sorry for all of the multiple posts, I just keep thinking of more things to say. I am learning that my feelings don’t dictate reality. I may feel unseen and insignificant, but in God’s eyes I never have been.❤️
Thank you for sharing Churchmouse, I too have felt unseen at times around my husband. He too is very busy with work, and there are many times he has to work when I wish he didn’t have to. He comes from a family of very smart individuals, and I don’t always feel like I fit in.
I have spent a lot of my life feeling unseen and insignificant. I have always been more of an introvert and prefer not to stand out. Many times in my life I have just wanted to be seen and understood. I am so glad that God has satisfied those longings in my heart. He cares about me and every detail of my life.
Snap! Crackle! Pop! The sounds I heard! Stepping aside chastised (but cared for by a forgiving God); squarely reminded (yet surely redeemed)…after I read these oft quoted verses in Matthew 6 (part of our “going deeper” scripture):
V.27 “Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?”
V.34 “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will worry itself. Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”
I’m a classic, consummate worrier. Like worry has “encamped” within me. Write it as my middle name. Lord, help me loose the grip: stubborn unbelief; false sense of control. Help me learn to trust that you alone are willing, worthy & waiting to protect & provide. Yes, you’re only a moment away.
Thanks be to God.
So absolutely beautiful. What we all want is to be seen, heard and known. I’m so thankful for this sight through Hagar’s eyes. So beautiful. He sees. He meets us in a whisper. El Roi, absolutely beautiful. Wow. Praise God. Thank you all for your continued prayers for us! Victoria E. I’m praying for you and others daily. Angie, I know that feeling and it is tough to turn to God through it all rather than reacting, that’s my problem. Like yesterdays reading, Nehemiah prayed to the Lord then answered—I need to do that more and I appreciate you sharing your experience!! CHURCHMOUSE, thank you so much for sharing your story. I absolutely have felt similarly at times through my husbands medical training, he too is a doctor. God replaces our labels for ourselves with His—thank you GOD. God is in the business of changing our view of everything, including what we refer to ourselves as and how we see ourselves in our worlds. Thank you for sharing She’s! You all are such a blessing.
Father God thank You for being here when I need You, for listening when no one else does. Thank You for standing by me in the hard times and in the good times. I praise Your Name and the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ who died for my sins, and the name the Holy Spirit, who You sent to live in me and guide me. Watch over me, my family, friends, sisters in Christ, and those who need you. Lord, You know the needs and requests of my sisters please grant those You see fitting to grant. In Jesus name, amen.
Sisters be blessed and remember God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are with you always.
This one was amazing today !! I so so needed to read this today!! Thank you!!
Thank you for sharing this, TINA.
I needed today’s reading. I loved how God works that out.
It amazes me every time I am reminded that God sees me and hears me and knows me by name ❤️
The God who sees us. How wonderful. Tina, thank you for sharing your story. Allison and Brooke P praise God for the answered prayers ! Angie, praying for your situation with the co-worker.
Oh Churchmouse, so perfectly said. I too have married a man that is very successful and I have felt unseen, unheard. He is a kind man that does his best to balance work and home, but his career has demands that sometimes come first. It is not always easy. I moved from my home state for my husband. I felt so alone. People have agendas with him and I’m just the CEO’s wife. It is amazing how people can treat you as an object. I felt so lost. His daughter made life very hard. She didn’t want to see me or hear me. Thankfully God has repaired that relationship. She Reads Truth helped me find my way back to my relationship with God. I’m so thankful for all the women here that share their stories. My day is not right without starting here first. “El-roi” means more than I can express.
MIA FAITH – I’m so sorry for the loss of your son. There are so many of us in this group that have lost children. I pray we can offer each other comfort.
The most beautiful words, “El-roi,” “the God who sees me.” He sees you and hears you, and He calls you by name. As I was saying my prayers before starting todays study, I felt God’s presence. He sees me in my pain. He comforts me. He is all I need.
Praise God!
So grateful to be seen, heard and called by name! So grateful for this community. All of you srt sisters have become my church through covid. I havent attended in person yet, so it has been years. Crazy. I do attend online, but really no sense of community. Thank you all for being my community through these maddening times! Love and hugs.
Patricia,
That is “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle :) I was listening to her podcast and she said that was one of her favorite songs she’s written.
Man. I got so much out of today’s reading.
Every time I read about someone in the wilderness, I cringe. I imagine a woods you are destined to get lost in. I grew up by the woods and never figured out how to navigate successfully through an unmarked woods (specifically, the pinelands in NJ). So when I read about the wilderness, I picture a forest that someone has to walk through, and like I said, are destined to get lost in.
I think that when I read about John the Baptist in the wilderness. When I think about the Israelites wandering through the wilderness. Anytime someone encounters the wilderness, I think, “Well, they’re lost.”
Today, I realized that God is still God, even in the wilderness. God is the God of the wilderness and the safe town home. He doesn’t change and He sees exactly where we are. But when we are in the wilderness, we don’t know where we are. It is completely unfamiliar. So we start to doubt God because we don’t feel as safe in unfamiliar territory.
But God saw Hagar. He heard Ishmael (whose name means “God hears”) — I love that.
God cares for us in the wilderness. He also cares for us when we are safe in our home.
The wilderness of Paran became Hagar and Ishmael’s home. That is wild. The unfamiliar became the familiar. And God was there the whole time.
Not sure what happened to the rest of my post. Oh well!
I have El Roi tattooed on my forearm. It is such a beautiful reminder when I feel less-than, forgotten, or heartbroken. I got it a few years after my amazing son died by suicide. I felt so lost, alone, and broken. I am so very thankful that He has always seen me and loved and cared for me!!
I have El Roi tattooed on my
“You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees”, El Roi. Whenever I feel mistreated, misunderstood, whenever I am so overwhelmingly discouraged because of my circumstances, whenever I am afraid – I remember and call upon the-God-Who-Sees! Nothing gets past Him, nothing is hidden from Him, nothing is a surprise. I rest in Him because I know He sees, I know He is faithful and just and I know He has a purpose and a plan for everything that happens in my life! I have no need to fear. I praise God for all of His many names and what they mean for me. Thank you God for your ever-presence and your eye that never misses a thing!
@Laura Caroline- praying for up coming visit with your dad. May God grant you grace, mercy and patience.
Continuing to pray for previous requests. @Chruchmouse and @Tina – thank you for sharing.
Blessings to you all today, my she sisters!
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank you for all the ways you live and move in our hearts and lives. Thank you for the stories shared here today. We are so blessed by them and grateful that sisters like Tina, Angie and Churchmouse listen to the nudge you place on their hearts to share their stories with us. Grateful that sisters like Laura invite us into her life to pray over her allowing us to be your hands and feet. The vulnerability required for this sharing and introspection isn’t easy but the benefits cannot be measured for they are so for reaching. Thank you for this community and all the ways it encourages and paves the way for more relationship with you!
I too woke up singing a Laura D song. SOS. I hear you whisper underneath your breath. I hear your SOS your SOS. I will send out an army …..I will rescue you. I need to fill my mind with the hope that the Lord provides through his word, prayer and through all of you who share this glorious journey. I struggle with memory verses and find praise songs fill me up. Thank you lord for the ministry in SRT and praise worship.
I too woke up singing a Laura D song. SOS. I hear you whisper underneath your breath. I hear your SOS your SOS. I will send out an army …..I will rescue you. I need to fill my mind with the hope that the Lord provides through his word, prayer and through all of you who share this glorious journey.
I too woke up singing a Laura D song. SOS. I hear you whisper underneath your breath. I hear your SOS your SOS. I will send out an army …..I will rescue you. I need to fill my mind with the hope that the Lord provides through his word and
♥️
God sees me. That’s exactly what I needed to hear today.
Laura Caroline- I will pray for your Dad. My Dad has severe dementia after years of mental illness. God sees and knows the pain our Fathers have endured. My road with my Dad has been hard and long, but God has provided for his care in the bleakest times where we didn’t see a way. I praise God for always caring for us. Praying for your Da now.
What a Godsend this study is for this time! Who is not anxious?
What a Godsend this study is for this time!who
Yes, Angie, El Roi is indeed my favored name of God. I was the second born child, first daughter, out of 8 children. 5 sons. 3 daughters. It was no secret that my dad preferred his sons. The number of siblings, my birth order and my gender often left me feeling unseen. Not unloved but unseen. And so I ‘ran’ to books and they became my refuge. Fast forward and my first engagement ended when I discovered he was unfaithful. I was unseen, again. Disregarded. Not enough. Inadequate. That is how I saw myself, labeled myself. Fast forward again. I met and married a wonderful man, who was in medical school, whose long hours of training and studying often left me feeling, you guessed it, unseen. I was also working full time, with rotating shifts. It was our reality at the time, no one’s fault. We moved back to our hometown where he set up his practice. His large Italian family also lived there. All that entails with hanging your own shingle left us passing each other more often than not. Over time, he had an office building built, recruited several physicians plus all the support staff. He was lead physician and the administrator of the practice. Did I mention he was /is an Obgyn? So you know his hours were/are unpredictable. He quickly became quite successful. As blessed as we were financially and completely committed to each other, I often felt I was seen only as his wife, the doctor’s wife. His extended family had expectations of me. He was blood and I was not. I was outside looking in. We had two beautiful daughters and I became their mother. Where was me? I felt as though I was slowly becoming invisible(Can you tell I had way too many pity parties?). My insecurity revealed my immaturity. Oh, God was near. I prayed. But I remained in my ‘wilderness’ and I couldn’t seem to find the way out. So… I went to The Cove in the Blue Ridge mountains of Asheville, NC. In the quiet, stillness and isolation of that spiritual retreat, I encountered God as never before. He loved on me by graciously correcting me, convicting me, and giving me new insight from His Word. He revealed to me all the ways He had seen me and been present in all my experiences. That retreat was profoundly impactful. I found me though I was never lost. God replaced my labels for me with His. Mine were lies. His were Truth. I felt a deep joy and such peace… which has continued ever since. Yes, Angie, El Roi is my favored name of my God. He sees me. He’s always seen me. I am, and have always been, His beloved. And one day I will kneel before Him and thank Him face to face.
A lot of life and hard things happened between the promise and fruition of the birth of the promised son Isaac. There was no easy path to follow. A baby born to another woman. Human anger and mistreatment. Sadness, guilt, waiting. 25 years of life passed before God’s promise was fulfilled. Sodom and Gomorrah happened. Abram and Sarai received new names from the God Most High who sees all. The God who loves and has the best plan. I wonder what choices could have been different during those years Sarah waited. I wonder if she regretted sending Hagar to her husband and later her meanness towards her. How her jealousy and shame must have burned within her. But the scriptures do not focus on the individual sufferings, but rather on the bigger story of redemption. And just like God speaks to my heart today, my mistakes or trials of suffering will not change His goodness or His promise. The moment my eyes focus above the storms of life, I see Him. I see what He did to save me and bring me into His Kingdom. All the hard things will pass away. I have rich moments here and now and I treasure them. I will be with Him in the New Heaven and New Earth. I can do the hard things now because Jesus did the hardest thing. 25 years seem like nothing in light of eternity. Abraham and Sarah’s story, and all the stories in the Bible really, tell of hard things. But those hard things are woven into the most beautiful story of all. And in this, I have hope and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Will y’all please pray with me this week? I’m going to visit my father, who has been captive to mental illness for 20+ years. It’s never easy but seeing him in person is especially heart wrenching. Since we read John 5 in the last study I’ve committed to pray for him daily instead of just accepting it as unchangeable reality. I’m so grateful that we pray to the true and living God who sees and hears us and I would be so honored if you would pray with me. Thank you ❤️
HE is with us in the suffering: 8-24-19.
HE guides us: 8-24-19.
HE never leaves us – today – 2-16-22.
AMEN.
HE is with us in the suffering: 8-24-19.
HE guides us: 8-24-19.
HE never leaves us – today – 2-16-22.
HE is with us in the suffering: 8-24-19.
HE guides us: 8-24-19.
HE is with us in the suffering: 8-24-19.
Father God, El-Roi, help me to feel Your presence and cling to the knowledge that you see me. In Jesus name, Amen
Just listened to this track and know God moved you to share so it could bless me, too. Thank you!
The verses from Matthew 6 remind me of the bridge from the song “Jireh” by Elevation Worship. Sooo many good verses today of how our God sees us, hears us, loves us, fights for us, provides for us. I am just so thankful!! Lifting up everyone in prayer <3
After this morning’s reading, Lauren Daigle’s “Your Wings” came to mind. “You’ve got me under your wings. You cover me. You’re my covering; I’m safe. Whatever comes at me; I’m safe.”
Thank you Tracy I just listen to Kelly Park sing Isaiah 43 and you are correct it ministered so much to my soul. Thank you! I also sent it on to my daughter and her family as they are going through a transition and moving and their oldest son, sweet seven year old. Is anxious.
Father, I’m so thankful that You see me and call me by name.
So grateful that God already has plans. Working to remember that in the fears and what ifs of having another baby. But I know God already sees what I cannot, even if that’s just the strength he places within me.
Amen
Tina – thank you for sharing your story. You are one amazing person! I love what God has done in your life. Have you considered writing a book? Maybe you could do it under the She Reads Truth umbrella and call it “But God” . . . Food for thought. Blessings and hugs “across the pond”
Thank you all so much for your kind prayers! I am very happy that I have no major injuries in my knee and that I will slowly be able to work back into dancing. ANGIE, your prayer really resonated with me today- I am here to reflect God’s character. What a wonderful mission to be living out… and a bit of a daunting task. I fail pretty often. But I will continue to get up and continue living with love and forgiveness because my Heavenly Father loves and forgives me. I’m praying for all of you!
God sees me. He sees my hurt and my pain. I am not alone.
My favorite song about not fearing is “Isaiah 43-You are Mine” by Kelly Parks. It has been my go to for keeping perspective and “sturdying up” my heart. It’s especially great super loud 3-4 times in a row when faced with spiritual warfare! ❤️
Thank you God for seeing me in the place I’m at, for what seems hopeless please give me faith to trust in your plan over my life.
My first thought when I saw today’s title was, “Churchmouse is going to love this!” Do I remember correctly that your favored name for God is El Roi, the God who sees me?
Thank you very much for prayers regarding our school’s adult bully. When she came into my room yesterday, my spirit bristled. But God, He reminded me of our (His and my) talk that morning and the plan to purposely show His love. My Father also reminded me that I had prayed for my enemy that very morning and that while she might wish evil toward me, I would pray for her God’s good. I admit that I had to step away, with the pretense of helping other children, for a bit to pray for my spirit, heart, and actions to respond in His love. She is supposed to be in the room 20 minutes, while it is usually only 10…they are the 10 longest minutes of the day, which means God has so much work to do in my heart.
My parents were alcoholics. Fortunately they were not often physically abusive, but one of them was very cruel with words and consequences. I learned to forgive that parent, before, the cruelty came. I would pray and prepare the soil of my heart with forgiveness for whatever would be said or done. I know that is what I need to do now, in this situation.
Then last night in BSF, the lecture was so powerful. Two truths were: God calls His children to reflect and extend His heart of love to others. AND, God calls His children to reflect and extend His heart of forgiveness to others. I have been forgiven of so much by my Father. His love amazing and undeserved. The privilege to be called His, a treasure. How can I not offer forgiveness? The leader also said, “Forgiveness of those who sin against us is more about our relationship with God than our relationship with the other person.”
God is so good. He prepared me growing up to learn to love and forgive (He doesn’t waste a thing). He has been empowering me this year to respond to evil with good, (and I believe the prayers of you my sisters have held up my arms in that battle), and He continues to guide me and til the soil of my heart – using today’s scripture and BSF, also.
Why am I given breath for this day? To reflect my God. While I draw closer to my Savior and King, my hope and prayer is that the living out of His love to all…all, will bring Him honor and glory and allow me to be salt for Him on this earth. Amen. May it be so Lord Jesus, only in your power and glory.
Thank you Lord for knowing me and my family by name. For hearing us when we are weary and comforting us. Amen.
So thankful we are seen by God, that I am seen by God. This study is reminding me of how much I am loved by God, how forgiving He is, the importance of seeking Him, waiting for and listening to Him. Fear distracts me from these truths. Lord, help me keep my focus on you always and especially when faced with fear.
TINA – praise the Lord for His love and protection of you, dear friend. Thank you for your testimony! Although I had both parents, I lived in fear of my dad leaving (he didn’t) but only threatened self harm. My poor mother – thank the Lord she made it through my awful angst filled teenage years. To this day, 50+ years later, I still feel the fear of being abandoned at times but I know I will never be abandoned by God. The biggest hug to you Sister.
GRAMSIESUE – praying for Steve’s treatment and safe travels
ANGIE – praying for you as you stand firm in your faith and especially praying for the bully – must have a lot of pain in her own life to put so much energy into hurting others. Praying the Lord would draw her heart to Him.
MARY WARREN – thank you for your testimony
WENDY – praying for you and your parents
GWINETH52 – thank you for the poem!
Amen. “To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us.” – Tim Keller
God sees. ❤
ABBY D – praying all goes well for Tammy’s husband today.
TINA – so thankful to God for His work in you and through you.
ANGIE – praying the Lord will fight for you as He did last year in the head-on collision. May you walk away from the trouble this co-worker’s attempt to wreck your place in the school.
In my early years, lost, confused, rejected, searching.., I would often run. I would often hide. I would often make myself invisible, by just being in the background..
When I was 16, I tried to end it all, took pills and downed a bottle of brandy.. in that sad teens mind, there was never going to be a better day or time.. so what was the point?
Here’s the thing, I was as much loved as I felt I was rejected, my father loved me fiercely, protected me with all he had, he was my champion, my friend.
My mother,( though I now know she loved me) when I was 3 gave my brother and I to our dad. To the 3 year old mind, she didn’t want or care for us anymore..and so I grew up half of me believing I was not wanted, the other half fiercely loved and protected …
BUT GOD..
Back to the 16 year old me, taking the pills, Praise God that He loved, knew and saw me, because my sister came home to pick up her P.E kit and found me and with quick thinking phoned for help!
I tell you this not for effect or sympathy, but because God, though I didn’t walk with Him then as I do now, STILL knew me. Loved me. Saw me, in my world of confusion, my hopelessness, my feeling of unlovable-ness..
I can relate to Hagar, absolutely without a doubt..it is easier to see the bad than it is the Good. It can be easier to run away than to stay. It might seem easier to hide than to stand your ground, the ground we all have reason to stand on.. God and His Word.. His promises. In my younger and formative years I wasn’t ( still not) wise enough to act or trust God as I perhaps do now..
The journey has been long, and sometimes the flashbacks catch me, a bit like today’s devo and the reminder of those early days of little Tina and her struggles..
BUT GOD..
In looking back, I see how far I have come, how far the Lord God who knows, sees, loves me without agenda, carries me lovingly into and through my days, my storns, highs and lows.
Dear God, Thank you for every step of my journey. It hasn’t always been pretty. It hasn’t always been easy. It hasn’t always been loving, kind, or as i hoped, but one thing is so absolutely certain, You Lord God, have been present whether I have seen it or not. You have been there..
Thank you Lord God, Thank you Lord..
AMEN..
Happy Wednesday wrapped in love and hugs and blessings sisters..❤
Amen
Amen. How wonderful it is to know that our compassionate God sees, hears, and calls us by name. So comforting to be reminded of this truth and promise today ❤️
Thank you Lord that you see and hear me and know me by name. Thank you that you are with me in my struggles and can do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine.