Where do we go from here?

This year has been a challenging one for so many people. The economy has suffered and many have lost their jobs. Families that were once making ends meet are now finding themselves struggling. They wonder when or if things will ever get better. Worry takes over and fear sets in. Uncertainty looms as trust dwindles.

While none of us know what the future holds, we can rest in knowing who holds our future. God tells us that He sees our needs and knows what we need even before we ask. Let's look at one of God's names, the name that signifies His ability to see us...to know us. The name El-Roi means "the God who sees me" and it is found in Genesis 16:13. "You are a God who sees me.”

Hagar, a servant of Sarah, Abraham's wife, served her mistress faithfully. She worked hard day in and day out and even gave Abraham a son when Sarah was unable to give him one. Her days rolled by in a monotone of mindless work. No hope of getting ahead, no chance for marriage or family. She had traveled far away from home for this position and had no intention of jeopardizing her job by messing up.

 

Sarah wanted a baby but was unable to have one so she gives her servant girl, Hagar, to her husband. No one knows it yet, but Hagar got pregnant! Suddenly, instead of things being better, all of a sudden they grow much worse. Sarah is very unkind to Hagar and very jealous of her. She speaks harsh words to Hagar and threatens her. She tells her husband, Abraham that she wants Hagar to leave. Abraham tells Sarah that she can do what she chooses to with Hagar, afterall, she is her servant girl....so Sarah banishes her from their home. Hagar is scared and bewildered. She does not understand why she is being sent away. She has done nothing wrong.

 

Hagar heads for the hills. She is so distraught that she stops in the middle of a desert road and begins to weep. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appears and asks Sarah what she's doing and where she's going. He also tells her that she needs to go back to her mistress and submit to her. (Can you imagine Sarah's distress??) Then the angel tells her that God is going to bless her and give her many descendants through her son, Ishmael. That’s when she saw God. Actually, that’s when Hagar realized that God saw her. She says to God, "You are the God who sees me!"

 

So even though we don't know what the future holds, we know that God sees us and He holds the future. He sees the you that no one else ever sees. He sees deep into your heart and soul. He knows what's coming around the corner. He knows what the new year is going to bring into your life. Aren't you thankful that you don't know what the future holds? If we knew all the things that lay ahead, we might be scared out of our wits! But thankfully, we have a God who is loving and kind. A God who wants to bless us.

 

There's no cause for worry...no need to panic! Rest knowing that you have a God who sees YOU and loves YOU. Step out into the unknown with confidence knowing that He will give you just enough light for your next step on the dark path...all you have to do is be willing to pick up your foot and take the step....

 

(You can read the Bible story here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+16)