The God Who Sees and Hears

Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Therefore, the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; observe, it is between Kadesh and Bered. Genesis 16:13-14

            I’m going to be honest and admit that sometimes I don’t think that God sees or hears me. There are times when I feel forgotten or invisible to God. But, I thank God for His word that reminds me of the truth. The truth is, God does see me. He sees and hears all of us. God showed me numerous scriptures that testify to the fact that He is the God Who sees and hears. The scripture that resonates with me the most is Genesis 16:13-14. In Genesis Chapter 16, the bible chronicles how Hagar, an Egyptian maidservant, fled from her mistress Sarai. Then, God found her (Genesis 16:7). I love the fact that the bible says that God found her. He found her, which means His eyes were upon her. God knew where she was because His eyes were upon her, even in her wayward state. He saw her and came to her aid. Hagar was an Egyptian, she wasn’t  a Hebrew, she wasn’t even one of God’ s people. Nevertheless, God saw her. She wasn’t anyone of great importance. But God saw her. She wasn’t even Abraham’s wife, she was the mistress, the maid, the pregnant woman on the side…but God saw her. I believe God visited her because she didn’t ask to be put in that position. It was forced on her because they (Abraham & Sarah) couldn’t wait on God for His promise in His time (that’s a whole other topic). Anyway, I believe He showed compassion on her because of her situation. Regardless of the cause, He saw her just as He sees you.

            In Genesis 16:14, it mentions the well called, “Beer Lahai Roi”, which literally means Well of the One Who Lives and Sees Me. One thing we have to remember is that God is a living God. His Spirit is alive and moving all the time. The bible says in 2 Chronicles 16:9, that eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. Proverbs 15:3 says, the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. He sees us no matter what it looks or feels like. So when the enemy tries to penetrate your mind with negative thoughts that are contrary to the word of God, remind yourself of El Roi, The God Who Sees. He is always watching and He sees you. He sees you when…no one else does. He sees you when…you do good deeds out of the sincerity of your heart. He sees you when…you are weary but you keep pressing on in faith. He sees you when…you continue to do the right thing despite what it seems. He sees you. 

            God visited Hagar again in Genesis 21 proving that He hears us. After Hagar and her son Ishmael were told to leave the camp of Abraham and Sarah, they journeyed into the wilderness of Beersheba. And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is (Genesis 21:17).  Meeting Hagar where she was again, God not only saw, but He heard this time. When you feel like God doesn’t hear your prayers or see your needs, God says in Psalm 94:9, "He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?" Why would He give us ears to hear and eyes to see if He couldn’t hear or see? After all, we are made in His image.

            Be encouraged. God sees and hears you. No matter what it looks like, things aren’t always the way they seem, especially with God. He knows. Trust Him even when it seems He doesn’t see you. There is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13). Continue to pray and cry out to God. God promises in Psalm 34:17 that the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. This is a promise and we know that God keeps all His promises. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Believe that God's eyes are upon you.

Be Blessed.

RESIST TEMPTATION

Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. James 1:12-16

    
     What is temptation? Temptation is a desire or craving for something, especially something considered wrong.  It means to lure, entice, appeal, persuade, or pull. We have all been tempted before, as temptation comes in different forms. You may be tempted to give up on God today. You may be tempted to cheat on your spouse, engage in an immoral sexual act, or get drunk although you haven’t picked up a bottle in years. You may be tempted to act outside of your character simply because you are weary in well doing. However, the bible says, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation” (James 1:12).  Please understand that these temptations are there to test you. Notice they come at your weakest moments. The enemy knows when to tempt you and lure you away from your purpose, away from your integrity. The bible tells us your adversary, the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The enemy can’t tempt you with something you don’t like. He is going to tempt you with that thing that you struggle with, that thing that you find attractive. However, you need to submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).

 

     I believe one of the reasons God came in the form of a man, Jesus, was to understand what we as humans face on Earth. I believe He wanted to feel our pain, anxieties, temptations, and heartaches.

     For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]  Hebrews 2:18

     He is concerned about us. Therefore, He lowered Himself for the sake of us in our weakest moments. Jesus is holy. Therefore, He did not sin. He could not sin. It’s not in His nature. However, that doesn’t mean He was not tempted. The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness but He resisted him (Matthew 4:1-11).  As Jesus was tempted and did not sin, so you can be tempted and not sin. For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning (Hebrews 4:15). So you see, you can turn to Jesus in prayer when you are tempted. It’s not as if He doesn’t understand. Whatever you’re struggling with, He can help you. But you have to want His help. Moreover, you will be richly rewarded for resisting temptation and overcoming your trials (James 1:12).
 

     What temptation is it that you are rehearsing in your mind? Whatever it is, bring it to Jesus. You must watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

 

Remember, no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13