(Genesis 16:6-14)
You are seen and you are loved. Yes, you are! Even during those times when you may feel isolated, abandoned, and without any support, God sees you and loves you deeply. He is concerned about you and He watches over you.
There are times, though, that our very own attitudes and actions contribute to these feelings of being misunderstood, rejected, and abandoned. Hagar found herself in this type of situation. What happened? She was drafted into a plan where she had no say. She was not asked her thoughts of becoming a surrogate for Sarai and Abram. Instead, she was given as a possession to Abram without her consent.
Now, Hagar was a slave, a woman with no rights, insignificant, and considered property, not even a thinking, feeling person. I can't claim to know how she actually felt about the transaction because it is not written. I can imagine that she wanted to please her masters. Or maybe she wanted no part of their plan. Regardless of the case she could not refuse. What rights did she have? How could she object?
Hagar is given to Abram and becomes pregnant. It appears that something occurred on the inside of Hagar once she conceived. Her attitude and actions changed. She began to think better of herself. I’m sure she felt valuable. Maybe she thought her role in the family had changed because she was carrying her master’s child. It’s possible Abram treated her with a special kindness when he learned she was carrying his seed. I’m not sure exactly but I imagine there was a feeling of security developing within Hagar. But when she started feeling better about herself she started showing a negative attitude towards her mistress. The Bible says she despised Sarai. Of course Sarai was not having it and Abram told her to do whatever she wanted with the slave. What a CRUSHING BLOW! Hagar’s newfound sense of significance and self worth had been deflated. It appeared that neither Abram or Sarai cared about what happened to Hagar or the child she was carrying. She was again invisible, insignificant, and isolated. She had no support or comfort. So, she ran away.
I imagine Hagar feels all alone and that there was no one whom she could confide in about her situation. She has been discarded and there appears to be no one who cares about her well-being, no parents, no siblings, or no best friend. She ran away and no one ran after her. She is gone and no one is looking for her. Her sorrow is a burden she carries alone. She wanders in isolation, hiding from her shame and thinking no one cares.
Hagar could not see it. She felt alone, but she was never alone. Although she was lost in her sorrow and feeling invisible there was someone watching over her. One who valued her and cared for her! She was not forgotten and neither was she invisible. God had seen her! Not only had He seen her, He pursued her. He had a plan for her. When the angel of the Lord spoke to Hagar she must have been shocked and surprised. Who was she that her master’s God would seek and speak to her? What she did not know is God is no respecter of persons. It does not matter whether you are the CEO or janitor, imprisoned or free, black or white, male or female, adult or child, Jew or Gentile. All are precious and worthy in His sight.
This Egyptian slave had God’s attention and presence. And when He finished speaking to her she said, “You are the God who sees me!” Can you see Hagar’s smile? Can you see her countenance change? Can you feel the heaviness in her heart ease? She now knows that she is not alone and neither is she insignificant.
My friend, God has seen you, too! You are not alone. His love for you is great! Even when you’re feeling abandoned, neglected, insignificant, and devalued - God is there! He desires to comfort you. Call upon Him. Lean on Him. Trust Him! He promised that He would be with you always. He said He would never leave you or abandon you. Trust His Word. He cannot lie and His Words do not return to Him void! He WILL take care of you! Keep this thought in your heart: You are not alone!
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