To Mothers . . .

I dedicate this week’s blog to the mothers who are reading this.

Moms, of you I ask the question, “What pain do you face?”
- Everyday stress?
- Self-doubt?
- Regret?
- Seeing your child go astray?

As you face pain on whatever level you bear, I pray that you will experience the grace of God in a way comparable to Hagar.  Hear her experience.

Genesis 16:7-13 (NIV)
The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?”
“I’m running away from my mistress Sarai,” she answered.
Then the angel of the LORD told her, “Go back to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel added, “I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count.”
The angel of the LORD also said to her:
“You are now with child
    and you will have a son.
You shall name him Ishmael,
    for the LORD has heard of your misery.
He will be a wild donkey of a man;
    his hand will be against everyone
    and everyone’s hand against him,
and he will live in hostility
    toward all his brothers.”
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.”

Into her pain stepped the angel of the LORD.  To be sure, not all of the angel’s words brought joy to the young mother’s heart – who would enjoy her son being referred to as a “wild donkey” (or worse, if you're reading the American Standard Version)?  

Nevertheless, another piece of the angelic prophecy coupled with Hagar’s own words of reflection shed light on the hope that she found.  

First, notice the latter part of verse eleven . . .
You shall name him Ishmael,
    for the LORD has heard of your misery.

Don’t miss that!  "The LORD has heard your misery.”  Just as God heard Hagar, He hears you.  As a reminder to her of this profound occasion, the angel provided the name for her son – Ishmael, which means “God hears.”  God hears!  

Second, notice the two statements that Hagar speaks in regard to another sense in addition to hearing.
Verse 13
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.”

She joyously declares that God sees her.  She actually names Him.  “You are El Roi.”  This is the only time in the entire Bible where a human gives God a name.  All other times when a divine name is given it is granted from on high.  We have no indication that God looked askant upon her assigning Him a name – I think He rather liked it.  

Next she says, with excitement, “I have seen the One who sees me.”  “Not only does God see me” she declares, “I also see Him!”

Don’t miss those truths!  God sees you.

Hagar also said that she saw God.  Since the time Jesus walked this earth no one has seen God in all His majesty.  All, however, can see His hand at work.  In your pain, frustration, confusion, and doubt, look for Him, He will be seen. 
Seen . . .
- In a friend?
- In a prayer?
- In His Word?

God hears.  God sees.  God allows you to see Him.

Take note and heart for He hears and sees – and shows His mighty hand.

#ordinarylives

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