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
We have a God who sees! A God who not only looks, but sees and understands. El Roi means the God who sees, or can even be rendered the God who sees me.
This name of God, occurring only once in scripture, is used by Hagar. It is notable that as a servant and a foreigner she would have gone largely unnoticed. Hagar has been mistreated, has run away and now finds herself in a desperate situation alone in the desert. But God sees her and comes to her, giving her hope and a future.
What is it that God sees?
He sees our pain. He doesn’t look and lightly move on, but sees and fully understands how and why our souls cry out. Our afflictions are known by a God who loves us.
He sees our past. When He looks upon us, He knows everything that has come before. Things we have done and things that have been done to us.
He sees our future. In His grace, He gives hope and a fresh start – every day.
He sees our heart. He knows us on the inside – our thoughts, motives and cares. He is the most intimate lover of our soul we can ever know.
He sees His image. When He looks upon us as His pinnacle creation, He sees the reflection of Himself instilled in us.
He sees His child. As a parent lovingly watches over His children, His protective, generous and affectionate care covers us.
God Almighty sees me. He knows the many hairs of my head and my deepest need. I’m known in every detail and yet He sees the whole of me – inside and out, past, present and future. When things are hard, I am not alone – He sees and is with me. When I celebrate, He sees and joins in. Bless His Name, El Roi, for I have a God who sees.
Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope for His lovingkindness. Psalm 33:18
