Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 46; Luke 9:117
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 The Experience Project, one of the largest online communities of the twenty-first century, was once a site where tens of millions shared deeply painful firsthand experiences. As I read through the heartbreaking stories, I reflected on how desperately our hearts long for someone to seeto understandour pain.
In Genesis, the story of a young handmaid reveals just how life-giving this gift can be. Hagar was a slave girl likely given to Abram by a pharaoh of Egypt (see Genesis 12:16; 16:1). When Abrams wife Sarai was unable to conceive, she urged Abram to conceive a child with Hagara disturbing yet familiar practice of that day. But when Hagar became pregnant, tensions flared, until Hagar fled into the wilderness to escape Sarais abuse (16:16).
But Hagars predicamentpregnant and alone in a harsh, unforgiving desertdidnt escape divine eyes. After a heavenly messenger encouraged Hagar (vv. 712), she declared, You are the God who sees me (v. 13). Hagar was praising One who sees more than the bare facts. The same God was revealed in Jesus, who, when he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless (Matthew 9:36). Hagar encountered a God who understood.
The One who saw and understood Hagars pain sees ours as well (Hebrews 4:1516). Experiencing heavens empathy can help the unbearable become a bit more bearable.
How does it reassure you to know God understands the challenges you face? How can you be a channel of His empathy and compassion to others?
Good evening, Mayor, and thank you for today’s sustenance for body and soul.
We made it to the weekend! Lots of resting for you.
~ Tunes For Our Troops: Hawaii Calls ~
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