The God Who Sees Me
📖 Genesis 16:7-13 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. 13 And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?
✅ Introduction
So what we see in this story is Hagar was mistreated by Sarah as Sarah is the wife of Abraham, but Sarah couldn't wait for a baby so she made her maidservant Hagar to sleep with her husband so she could bear a child on her behalf, obviously this was a bad decision which back fired because Sarah eventually hated Hagar for it out of jealousy which caused Hagar and her child to be casted away.
1️⃣ God Sees Our Struggles
📖 Genesis 16:6-7 (KJV) But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.
Hagar felt overlooked, oppressed, and alone facing mistreatment from those closest to her.
God meets her in the wilderness, showing that He sees us even in our lowest moments.
The desert represents hardship, isolation, and confusion but God does not abandon us there.
📖 Psalms 34:18 (KJV) The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
We shouldn’t lose all hope when we have God in the picture.
I remembered the feeling of helplessness to the point I wanted to die in Auckland, I was feeling lost and not sure of where I was going in life and my meaning to life, I was sleeping in the Henderson park bushes and felt like giving up, and I remembered this one night I said a prayer to the sky (and the sky looked beautiful) I prayed and said what is this life for? After that I felt this comfort and went to sleep, the very next day (which was a Waitangi day) a man came down giving out the gospel at the park, and I remember this day vividly because it was the most beautiful sunny day, there was a band playing in the park, It was warm, I was sitting in the sun to get warmth as I was cold from the night before (I didn’t have much clothes on, just pants a t-shirt with a vest over the top) but as I was sitting there, this man by the name of John Boortman, he was evangelizing and he got to me and I remember he asked me if I knew about what Jesus has done me, all I recall is weeping and explaining my situation, which John had explained that he can help, and I remember that help went beyond I could ever imagine, he sorted a home for me to stay and eventually a job and most importantly a connection to God.
So what we can learn is that anything is possible when God is in it.
🔥 Joseph
📖 Genesis 37:23-28 (KJV) And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him; 24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there wasno water in it. 25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry it down to Egypt. 26And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? 27 Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. 28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Imagine this situation, you were sold into slavery and sent to another place to be in bondage for the rest of your life!
📖 Genesis 39:1-2 (KJV) And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
It’s important to note that God can fix any situation you are in.
Recognize that God sees you in your wilderness your pain is not ignored, your struggle is not hidden. Take comfort in prayer: share your burdens with Him
📖 Philippians 4:6-7 (KJV) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
God hears our prayers
📖 Psalms 34:6 (KJV) This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.
2️⃣ God Sees Our Identity and Worth
Sometimes people are too worried about what they look like, what the world thinks, and if they fit in, and this mindset can be dangerous as it only discourages.
📖 Psalms 139:1-4 (KJV) O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.
Our worth is not defined by people’s opinions or society’s standards.
God sees who we truly are our hearts, intentions, and potential.
Hagar’s encounter reminds us that even someone overlooked or mistreated can be recognized and valued by God.
🔥 David
We know the world has a status quo that masses look to, but in the story of David he was the less of his brethren as his father and brethren did not consider him at all to be good enough for a king.
📖 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV) But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
God values what others miss: your character and faith. David was just a Shepherd’s boy yet God wanted him to be king.
📖 Matthew 10:29-31 (KJV) Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Your identity, value, and life matter deeply to God.
Stop letting others’ opinions define your worth. God’s recognition is what matters.
This is why, when people ask me to help them, the first thing that comes to my mind is giving them the gospel because if they accept it then there’s 2 things that happen.
🔥 The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit
📖 Ephesians 1:13-14 (KJV) In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
The Holy Spirit has many gifts to help us in our life.
🎉 New Creature
📖 2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (KJV) Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
God doesn’t look at your past anymore, he sees your soul as pure and made clean by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
These things alone are power to create a change in your life as it did me in my life and these things can only come if you accept the gospel. Thats why it’s important to reach to God first in all our matters because he’s always ready to help.
📌 Rahab the Harlot
📖 Hebrews 11:31 (KJV) By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
Rahab was a Harlot that is mentioned in the hall of faith, because she believed on God and God saved her, God didn’t judge or look at her as not good enough, rather God was happy to see help the lost.
📌 Mary Magdalene
📖 Luke 8:2 (KJV) And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils,
Mary was lost and had mental health issues, yet she became one of Jesus most faithful followers.
3️⃣ God Sees Our Potential and Purpose
📖 Genesis 16:11-12 (KJV) And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.
God sees not just who we are now, but what we can become in His plan.
Hagar’s future was uncertain, yet God gave her hope and purpose through Ishmael.
📖 Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
God has a plan and purpose for your life, even when you can’t see it. Just like Hagar who was left in the wilderness with nowhere to go, yet God gave her a blessing of her future.
God often uses humble beginnings to accomplish extraordinary outcomes.
📖 1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (KJV) But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Don’t despise small beginnings they may be the starting point for God’s extraordinary work in your life.
I just think back in my life where I was leaning towards gangs as a young teenager, I was always drank and high, I had been to many neighborhoods, and eventually ended up on streets where I was willing to die, yet my one call to God was enough to change my whole life, and you can change yours too.
