God Sees You

When it comes to control, do you prefer making your own decisions? If you’re like most of us, the honest answer is “yes.” We like to decide where to live, what to do, and how our lives unfold.

But what happens when someone else’s choices shape our lives in ways we can’t control, sometimes with lasting consequences?

Last week, we looked at Abraham and Sarah’s decisions. But what about Hagar, Sarah’s servant? She played a major role in their story, yet we know very little about her.

Hagar lived under Sarah’s authority, which meant she had no say in what happened to her. When Sarah gave her to Abraham to bear a child on her behalf, Hagar had no choice but to comply.

Hagar became pregnant, and her attitude changed. Pride set in, which made Sarah upset. She pressured Abraham to intervene, but he told her, “Do what you want.” Sarah treated her harshly, and Hagar fled into the desert, alone, frightened, and unsure of what would happen next.

It was there that God met her. He saw her. He spoke to her. He reassured her that He was with her. When God told her to return to Sarah and submit to her authority, Hagar obeyed, and her son, Ishmael, was born.

Years later, after Isaac, the promised child, arrived, Sarah demanded that Hagar and Ishmael be sent away. With a heavy heart, Abraham agreed. Once again, Hagar found herself in the wilderness. And once again, God saw her. He promised to care for her and Ishmael, and to make Ishmael into a great nation.

You may not live in Hagar’s circumstances, but her story speaks into our lives today. Thankfully, slavery is no longer acceptable in our culture, but there are still times when other people’s choices deeply affect us, sometimes leaving us hurt, rejected, or even abandoned.

In those moments, we can feel powerless. But Hagar’s story reminds us of this truth: God sees you.

No matter who rejects you or what decisions others make that impact your life, God has not forgotten you. He watches over you, cares for you, and can be trusted to guide you through even the hardest circumstances.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, when decisions are made that affect my life in painful ways, help me turn to You for strength. Remind me that You see me, even when I feel alone. Keep me from making a bad situation worse, and give me courage to trust You fully. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This week, take a step toward healing:

Forgive the person(s) whose decisions have hurt you.

If you feel stuck, spend time with the Lord and invite Him into your situation.

Write out a prayer, just as Hagar cried out in the wilderness, and trust Him to answer.

Because just like Hagar, you can rest in this truth: the God of heaven sees you.

Watch a personal message from Mindi here: