Can You Relate?

We looked yesterday at Genesis 16 and the situation in which Hagar found herself.  And I'm wondering today if you can relate to Hagar on any level.  Maybe you aren't in the exact same circumstances as Hagar....probably not!  But have you ever felt alone, or rejected, or confused, or hopeless?  If so, then Hagar's story probably is one to which you can relate.  We have learned in our study that "the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."  Today we are focusing on running into the strong tower of the God who sees.

Yesterday we read the story of Hagar.  Hagar's life was hard.  When our life is too hard, we can find strength in discovering what Hagar discovered.  The Lord is "the God who sees me."  He is aware of our pain, of our need, of every circumstance of our lives.  He sees us and He sees our future as well.  This gives us hope even when our circumstances may be difficult.

Let's review what we learned from Genesis 16:

• what was Sarai's response to God's delay?  (verse 2.....she took matters into her own hands.)
• what was Hagar's response when she had conceived?  (verses 4-5)
• what was Sarai's reaction?  (verse 5)  (Have you ever played the "blame game"?)
• what was the result?

The result is the place where we find ourselves relating most to Hagar.  She was in despair, hopeless, alone, pregnant, rejected, cast out.......definitely adverse circumstances.  While our circumstances are not identical, we have probably all at one time or another - and perhaps on multiple occasions - experienced adverse circumstances.

Look up the following Scriptures and note what you learn about God.......what does He watch over, how much does He see, how much does He care.  Note your findings in your notebook or journal.  If you have the time, use your word study tools to find additional references to add to the list.

• Psalm 34:15-18
• Psalm 55:22
• Romans 8:31
• Jeremiah 1:12
• Psalm 139:7-12
• Matthew 10:29-31
• Exodus 3:7

What difference does it make to you today to know God as El Roi, the God who sees?  Think about that and we'll continue tomorrow.

"For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and He watches all his paths."  (Proverbs 5:21)