Weekly Devotional - Raquel Simmons
In Hebrew, words carry more meaning and depth than what they appear to be on paper. We see in Genesis 16 that Sarai was unable to conceive a child with Abram. God promised her she would one day have a child; however, she grew impatient and in her desperation took matters into her own hands. She instructed her husband, Abram, to have a child through her Egyptian slave, Hagar. Things did not go well with this, and eventually Hagar fled.
On the run, in the desert, an Angel of the LORD came to Hagar, telling her that she should call her son Ishmael, that she would have innumerable descendants, and to return home. During this encounter, Hagar refers to the Lord as “El Roi,” the God who sees me. She called the Lord this when she was experiencing suffering and loneliness. She was forced to become pregnant, had to flee her home from being mistreated, and then had nowhere to go with a baby on the way. This is a very desperate situation.
Then, an angel comes down to her telling her to go back to the very place that brought upon all this suffering. I can’t imagine! I would be feeling ALL the emotions: confusion, loneliness, fear, anxiety, but at the same time possibly joy, excitement, awe, and anticipation. The Lord didn’t just see Hagar externally; He saw into her soul, heart, and mind. He could see and experience what she was feeling emotionally. And He met her right where she was. He came down to a lowly servant to let her know that even though everything felt like it was falling apart, she would be okay. That even in her current state of turmoil, one day He would make it right.
This Sunday, Aaron shared a vulnerable moment where he experienced “El Roi.” In my walk, I have also experienced El Roi, this God who sees me. Face to the ground, crying that guttural cry where you can’t catch your breath. Feeling alone, ashamed, and like no one understands. He has reached down and pulled me from the dark pit.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:1–4.
When the words cannot be found, the Lord understands and He rescues. 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast ALL your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.” God responds to our cries. He hears us. He sees us. He steps into the mess and experiences it with us. Be careful not to believe the lie that your worries are too small to share with God, that He has “more important things to deal with.” God is infinite and cares about ALL that His people are experiencing. Surrender every concern, fear, and anxious thought to Him. He will do abundantly more with it in His hands than you will ever be able to do with it in your mind. Trust in El Roi, the God who sees us, and He will carry you through.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 NIV.
What is one area of your life where you need to remember that God truly sees you and is inviting you to trust Him with it?
-Raquel
On the run, in the desert, an Angel of the LORD came to Hagar, telling her that she should call her son Ishmael, that she would have innumerable descendants, and to return home. During this encounter, Hagar refers to the Lord as “El Roi,” the God who sees me. She called the Lord this when she was experiencing suffering and loneliness. She was forced to become pregnant, had to flee her home from being mistreated, and then had nowhere to go with a baby on the way. This is a very desperate situation.
Then, an angel comes down to her telling her to go back to the very place that brought upon all this suffering. I can’t imagine! I would be feeling ALL the emotions: confusion, loneliness, fear, anxiety, but at the same time possibly joy, excitement, awe, and anticipation. The Lord didn’t just see Hagar externally; He saw into her soul, heart, and mind. He could see and experience what she was feeling emotionally. And He met her right where she was. He came down to a lowly servant to let her know that even though everything felt like it was falling apart, she would be okay. That even in her current state of turmoil, one day He would make it right.
This Sunday, Aaron shared a vulnerable moment where he experienced “El Roi.” In my walk, I have also experienced El Roi, this God who sees me. Face to the ground, crying that guttural cry where you can’t catch your breath. Feeling alone, ashamed, and like no one understands. He has reached down and pulled me from the dark pit.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:1–4.
When the words cannot be found, the Lord understands and He rescues. 1 Peter 5:7, “Cast ALL your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you.” God responds to our cries. He hears us. He sees us. He steps into the mess and experiences it with us. Be careful not to believe the lie that your worries are too small to share with God, that He has “more important things to deal with.” God is infinite and cares about ALL that His people are experiencing. Surrender every concern, fear, and anxious thought to Him. He will do abundantly more with it in His hands than you will ever be able to do with it in your mind. Trust in El Roi, the God who sees us, and He will carry you through.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30 NIV.
What is one area of your life where you need to remember that God truly sees you and is inviting you to trust Him with it?
-Raquel
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