The God Who Sees Me
When God's Timeline Doesn't Match Yours: Lessons from Abraham and Sarah
One of the most difficult things in life for a child of God is waiting on God. His timeline is different from ours, and this truth resonates throughout Scripture. The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar in Genesis 16 provides a powerful illustration of what happens when we try to rush God's plan.
The Struggle of Waiting on God's Promise
Abraham and Sarah knew God's will was for them to have a child. God had made this promise clear. Abraham had committed his life to following God faithfully, refusing to let others make him rich or to go anywhere else. His focus was solely on God.
But time passed, at least ten years since they had settled in Canaan. Sarah, growing frustrated with waiting, concluded that God had "restrained" her from bearing children. In her frustration, she devised her own plan to fulfill God's promise.
What Happens When We Try to "Help" God's Plan?
Sarah suggested that Abraham take her Egyptian maidservant Hagar as a second wife to bear a child on her behalf. This was culturally acceptable at the time, though nowhere in Scripture does God bless polygamous arrangements.
Abraham agreed to Sarah's plan, and Hagar conceived. But once Hagar became pregnant, she began to look down on Sarah. The plan that seemed so logical created immediate conflict:
This situation reveals an important truth: when we help God, we hurt ourselves and others around us. God may not share our timeline, but that doesn't give us liberty to step outside His will.
The Ripple Effects of Impatience
The consequences of Abraham and Sarah's impatience extend far beyond their household. The angel of the Lord told Hagar that her son Ishmael would "be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him."
This prophecy has had historical implications that continue to this day. The Middle East has been a place of unrest since then, with Ishmael's descendants (largely associated with Islamic nations) and Isaac's descendants (Israel) fighting over the same land for thousands of years.
We cannot interfere with God's plans without expecting backlash. As Scripture says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
God Sees the Forgotten and Rejected
While this story reveals human failure, it also demonstrates God's incredible mercy. Hagar, used, abused, and cast out, discovered something profound in her darkest moment.
The angel of the Lord found her by a fountain in the wilderness and spoke to her. In this encounter, Hagar had a revelation: "You are the God who sees me." She called the Lord by a new name: "Aw-Taw-El-Rohee" (You are the God who sees me).
Despite being an Egyptian slave who had been mistreated by "people of faith," Hagar was not invisible to God. He:
In this moment, Hagar likely became a child of God because she called on His name.
When You Feel Invisible
How many of us have felt alone, forgotten, or invisible, even when surrounded by people? Perhaps you've been hurt by those who call themselves God's people, giving you a distorted view of who God is.
The truth remains: God sees you. He is aware of where you are and why. No one has ruined His plans for your life. The enemy may try to convince you there's no way out of your wilderness, but God wants to comfort you and work in your life.
As long as you have breath in your lungs, God isn't finished with you. He sees you, He's speaking to you, and He wants to do great things for His glory and your good.
Life Application
This week, consider these questions and challenges:
Remember, when God makes the choices in your life, you get to live out the choices He's made, and His choices are always better than our own.
One of the most difficult things in life for a child of God is waiting on God. His timeline is different from ours, and this truth resonates throughout Scripture. The story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar in Genesis 16 provides a powerful illustration of what happens when we try to rush God's plan.
The Struggle of Waiting on God's Promise
Abraham and Sarah knew God's will was for them to have a child. God had made this promise clear. Abraham had committed his life to following God faithfully, refusing to let others make him rich or to go anywhere else. His focus was solely on God.
But time passed, at least ten years since they had settled in Canaan. Sarah, growing frustrated with waiting, concluded that God had "restrained" her from bearing children. In her frustration, she devised her own plan to fulfill God's promise.
What Happens When We Try to "Help" God's Plan?
Sarah suggested that Abraham take her Egyptian maidservant Hagar as a second wife to bear a child on her behalf. This was culturally acceptable at the time, though nowhere in Scripture does God bless polygamous arrangements.
Abraham agreed to Sarah's plan, and Hagar conceived. But once Hagar became pregnant, she began to look down on Sarah. The plan that seemed so logical created immediate conflict:
- Hagar felt elevated above her mistress
- Sarah became jealous and resentful
- Abraham refused to intervene
- Sarah mistreated Hagar so severely that she fled
This situation reveals an important truth: when we help God, we hurt ourselves and others around us. God may not share our timeline, but that doesn't give us liberty to step outside His will.
The Ripple Effects of Impatience
The consequences of Abraham and Sarah's impatience extend far beyond their household. The angel of the Lord told Hagar that her son Ishmael would "be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him."
This prophecy has had historical implications that continue to this day. The Middle East has been a place of unrest since then, with Ishmael's descendants (largely associated with Islamic nations) and Isaac's descendants (Israel) fighting over the same land for thousands of years.
We cannot interfere with God's plans without expecting backlash. As Scripture says, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."
God Sees the Forgotten and Rejected
While this story reveals human failure, it also demonstrates God's incredible mercy. Hagar, used, abused, and cast out, discovered something profound in her darkest moment.
The angel of the Lord found her by a fountain in the wilderness and spoke to her. In this encounter, Hagar had a revelation: "You are the God who sees me." She called the Lord by a new name: "Aw-Taw-El-Rohee" (You are the God who sees me).
Despite being an Egyptian slave who had been mistreated by "people of faith," Hagar was not invisible to God. He:
- Saw her in her distress
- Came to her personally
- Comforted her
- Showed her grace
In this moment, Hagar likely became a child of God because she called on His name.
When You Feel Invisible
How many of us have felt alone, forgotten, or invisible, even when surrounded by people? Perhaps you've been hurt by those who call themselves God's people, giving you a distorted view of who God is.
The truth remains: God sees you. He is aware of where you are and why. No one has ruined His plans for your life. The enemy may try to convince you there's no way out of your wilderness, but God wants to comfort you and work in your life.
As long as you have breath in your lungs, God isn't finished with you. He sees you, He's speaking to you, and He wants to do great things for His glory and your good.
Life Application
This week, consider these questions and challenges:
- In what areas of your life are you trying to "help" God by taking matters into your own hands? Surrender these areas to Him today.
- Have you allowed others' poor representation of Christ to shape your view of God? Remember that people will fail, but God never will.
- Do you present one face of Christianity in public but act differently at home? Ask God to help you be authentic in all settings.
- Are you feeling invisible or forgotten? Take time to pray, acknowledging that God sees you exactly where you are.
- Challenge: When faced with waiting this week, instead of rushing ahead, pray this simple prayer: "Lord, I trust Your timeline. Help me wait for Your perfect plan."
Remember, when God makes the choices in your life, you get to live out the choices He's made, and His choices are always better than our own.
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