The God who sees ...

I've been intrigued with the story of Hagar for a long time.  Honestly, I think it is one of my greatest fears ... that I would stop trusting, take things into my own hands and in the end make things much worse than they were before.  I believe, like most of us do, that God will accomplish what He promises ... that is, I believe it with my head.  However, just like Abram and Sarai, sometimes my heart wonders perhaps, if God has forgotten about my circumstances.  And that leads to their tactic of "giving God a hand" ... and that's what gives me the heebie jeebies!!!

I can't say I've ever felt much pity for Hagar ... I know, seems kind of strange as I read it today.  She really didn't do anything wrong except show contempt for Sarai and I'm not sure I wouldn't have done the same.  After all, this whole pregnancy was Sarai's idea but now she was the one being snarky.  I don't know that I wouldn't have run away as well.

But, the part that has captured my heart today is God's heart for Hagar.  I knew it was there, but it just seemed sweet to be reminded of it today. 

He PURSUED her to the desert
The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert (Gn 16:7)

He HEARD her
You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery. (Gn 16:11)
What a powerful thing to be heard!  I think that seems to be so important to the heart of a woman.  We seldom need things to be "fixed" as much as we just desire that we be heard ... heard, not just "listened to"!

He SAW her
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." (Gn 16:13)
We need the reminder that God sees us ... even in our misery and even in our pain.  He may wait to act, but still, He sees. 

I still fear "pulling a Hagar" with my life, screwing things up with my efforts to "help God out" ... but I love the fact that He sees, He hears, and He pursues me ... even when I screw up!