Key Verse
“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 (NIV)
Introduction
The wilderness can feel like a lonely, forgotten place. But it is often in the wilderness that God reveals Himself most personally. He is not distant. He is not blind to your pain or your situation. He is the God who sees you.
Message
1. Hagar’s First Wilderness Encounter
One of the earliest recorded wilderness encounters in Scripture is the story of a young girl, Hagar, the Egyptian servant of Sarai (Genesis 16). When Sarai and Abram sought to fulfill God’s promise through their own human plan, Hagar became pregnant by Abram. Consequently, tensions rose between her and Sarai and Hagar fled into the desert, overwhelmed and alone.
But God found her there. The Angel of the Lord appeared to her in her distress, giving her hope and declaring the destiny of her unborn child. It was in that barren place that Hagar encountered God and declared, “You are the God who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13 AMP).
Even in a self-imposed wilderness, God sees you. You may feel alone, but the desert is never a wasteland when God is there.
2. Hagar’s Second Wilderness Experience
Years later, after Isaac—the child of promise—was born, Hagar and her son Ishmael were sent away. They wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba until their bottle of water got emptied. In her desperation, Hagar placed her son under a shrub, unable to watch him die. She wept bitterly, believing their story was over.
But God saw them. He heard the cry of Ishmael and called to Hagar from heaven:
“Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” (Genesis 21:17-18)
Then God opened her eyes to see a well of water right in front of her. The provision had been there all along, but grief and fear had blinded her to it.
3. God Still Sees You
The God who saw Hagar sees you. He sees your silent tears, your wilderness wanderings, and your unspoken fears. He not only sees—He provides. When you feel forgotten, He is fully aware. When your strength is gone, He is your sustainer.
Ask God to open your eyes to see the wells of His provision and refreshment that are already around you. Even in barren places, life flows when God is present.
Conclusion
No wilderness is too distant for God’s gaze. He is El Roi—the God who sees. He sees where you are. He sees what you need. He sees the path forward. Let your heart be comforted: you are not invisible to God.
Practical Reflection
- When have you felt unseen or forgotten? Remind yourself: God sees me.
- Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to His provision and direction in this season.
- Reflect on the truth that God’s presence is with you even in dry places.
Prayer Points
- Father, thank You for being the God who sees me, even when I feel lost or alone.
- Lord, open my eyes to see Your provision and Your purpose in my wilderness.
- Holy Spirit, help me trust that I am never outside of God’s care or attention.
Further Study
- Genesis 16:1-16
- Genesis 21:8-21
- Psalm 139:1-12
- Isaiah 43:1-2