Thursday, December 29, 2011

God Sees Your Anguish

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

Hagar was a maidservant. Her wishes, her desires, were never even considered. She was to do as she was told, keep silent, and be happy about it. No one likes to be in that invisible place.

God had promised Abram that he would have a son. Abram’s wife Sarai couldn’t see how that could possibly happen so she gave her servant Hagar to her husband Abram. I realize that was a common practice during that time but it just seems so cruel. And it shows a total lack of faith in God.

Sarai’s plan worked. Hagar did get pregnant and bore a son, Ishmael. This was not the heir God had promised. That heir would be Isaac, a son Sarai would give birth to in her old age. But, in the meantime, Sarai came to despise Hagar for becoming pregnant -- even though it was what Sarai said she wanted.

Isn’t it funny how that happens sometimes? We know exactly what we want and how to get it. Then we do get it and find out it wasn’t what we really wanted after all. It’s just so much better to wait for God to show His Glory that to barge ahead with our own plans.

Nowhere in those plans did Sarai consider Hagar, the person. Can you imagine being given to your boss’s husband so that, hopefully, you’ll become pregnant and have a child your boss will then claim as her own?

A distraught Hagar ran away -- and God heard her cries. He sent an angel to her and, encouraged, she returned to Sarai and Abram.

Have you ever been in a situation where no one heard you? Have you ever been trapped in a relationship where your thoughts and feelings didn’t matter to anyone? Have you ever talked and talked only to realize that the other person hadn’t heard a word you said? Literally. Because you weren’t important enough to listen to. It hurts, doesn’t it?

God knows. He hears. He sees. Even though we may sometimes feel our lives don’t matter, they do. Because our lives matter to God. Even though no one else listens, God hears our words and knows our hearts. He cares about our tender feelings and about the injustices we endure.

Just as God cared for Hagar and Ishmael, He cares for you and me. God provided water and shelter for them and He’ll provide for us too. Don’t ever let the enemy make you believe that you are alone, that no one cares. God is with you. He knows. He hears. He sees.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

God Hears

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

Hagar was a servant. She belonged to Sarai through her husband Abram. God had promised Sarai and Abram a son but they couldn't see it happening so Sarai took matters into her own hands. She gave Hagar to Abram. I know. It wasn't all that unusual in those days but it sure sounds like rape to me.

But that's another issue. When Hagar did become pregnant, she despised Sarai, who in turn mistreated Hagar. Talk about a soap opera. It is so easy to focus on the couple who became Sarah and Abraham that we forget something really important. No one cared about Hagar, about what she felt and how the decisions other people made affected her. No one except God. He saw. He heard. He cared.

I find that so comforting. God hears when we speak. Even when others ignore our words and our wishes, when we feel alone and ignored. God sees us. He hears our anguished cries of frustration and despair. He never ignores us or turns away.

It is a lesson for all of us. Did you hear the words other people spoke to you today? Or were you too busy planning what you'd say or do to even listen? Were you ignored? Did anyone refuse to acknowledge your words or your presence?

I live in a world where people frequently ignore my words. Even when they hear, they act as though they didn't. I am supposed to go along, be seen only when needed and present a united front to the world. My frustration level is beyond high. Oh, how I hear Hagar when she speaks.

God hears our words, spoken or not. He feels our pain. He sees the truth. How about you? Are you one who is ignored? Or are you one who does the ignoring? Maybe you're both. Listen to the words of those around you. Open your eyes. Hear what other people are saying. You might be amazed at what you'll learn.