The God Who Sees Me - Lessons From Hagar

Psalm 34:18 – "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Isaiah 41:10 – "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Deuteronomy 31:8 – "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Lamentations 3:22-23 – "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Such powerful scriptures demonstrate God’s love and providence, a reminder that no matter what, He is always there! I believe this love and protection is beautifully evident in the life of an unsung Bible hero, Hagar. Like Leah in my last post, Hagar isn’t often celebrated as a Bible hero. Yet her story resonates with me deeply because it reveals an incredible part of God’s character. God showed up for Hagar, even though she wasn’t part of the central plan. Well, she is part of the story—clearly, since we’re talking about her—but she wasn’t part of the greater story and promise God made to Abraham and Sarah.

If you’re unfamiliar with the story, here’s a quick synopsis found in Genesis 16 and 21.

Hagar was an Egyptian servant in the household of Abraham and Sarah. God had given Abraham and Sarah a promise in their old age that they would have a son through whom a great nation would come. But when the promise didn’t happen in their timing, they took matters into their own hands. Sarah gave her servant, Hagar, to Abraham to bear a child, hoping to fulfill the promise through her. This decision brought Hagar into the story.

After becoming pregnant with Ishmael, tension grew between Hagar and Sarah, leading to mistreatment. Feeling unwanted and unloved, Hagar ran away into the wilderness, heartbroken and alone. It’s in this lowest moment that God met her for the first time. He comforted her, gave her promises about her son, Ishmael, and revealed Himself as “The God Who Sees.” Later, after Sarah gave birth to Isaac (the son who would fulfill God’s promise), Hagar and Ishmael were sent away again. Lost and desperate in the wilderness, God met her a second time, providing water and reaffirming His promise to make Ishmael a great nation.

Hagar wasn’t part of God’s original plan, nor was Ishmael, but despite this, God didn’t cast them aside. Instead, He stepped into Hagar’s story in a powerful and personal way. He met her not once, but twice, in the wilderness. In response, Hagar declared, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Hagar’s life was marked by struggle and rejection, but also by God’s incredible faithfulness. Her story reminds us that no matter how rejected or unseen we feel, God sees us, meets us where we are, and redeems our story in ways we could never imagine.

Hagar's story underscores that God can meet us anywhere, and as we see in many other Bible stories, the wilderness is often where God does some of His most transformative work. In that parched, dry place, God shows up and brings everlasting life.This story also demonstrates that God will meet us again and again in the wilderness. As often as we need Him, He will be there. There is no limit to His provision, care, and compassion.

I’ve certainly had seasons in my life where I haven’t felt seen by others, where I’ve faced rejection, and where I’ve felt like I didn’t measure up. As my faith has grown and I’ve come to better understand who I am and to whom I belong, I am deeply grateful for a God who sees me. So, remember this: no matter how you feel about your situation or how others perceive you—God sees you!