Title: The God Who Sees Me
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The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:6-14)
This morning's text is the story of the servant girl, Hagar. Hagar said in verse 13 that the name of the LORD, who spoke to her, is the God who searches (sees) me. This morning, I would like to share grace with you under the title of "God who sees me" as we study the text.
I. God looking for me
Our God is not just the God of Abraham. He is also the God of Hagar. May our God come to us when we are disappointed, when we are weak, when we are poor, when we are sick. The Lord of Immanuel who is with us today! I wish you a blessed morning when you meet this Lord.
II. God guides me through the word
Hagar couldn't stand Sarah's abuse and ran away from Abraham's house. Weary of wandering through the wilderness, we sit by the spring. At this time, the Lord came to Hagar and said to her. “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from and where are you going?” (verse 8).
where are you from It tells you to look back on yourself. It is a message to repent and look back on yourself, who despised your master as a slave girl and was arrogant and self-righteous.
Where else are you going? Where is Hagar going now? Heading to Egypt. What is the outcome of this path Hagar is going? Kill.
Everyone! If you go the wrong way, you will eventually be ruined. Life is about direction. People care about speed. Direction is more important than speed. Dear all! Where are we heading now? Are you turning your back on the church and going into the world? This time, I want you to take a look at ourselves in front of the words "Where have you come from and where are you going?"
What did Hagar answer? “I flee from my mistress Sarai” (verse 8), a candid confession. There was no turning back or making excuses. This is repentance. Confessing one's wrongdoings is an honest confession. “The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit yourself to her” (verse 9).
God tells us to go back first. Hagar is not going to Egypt. The life of the prodigal son is to return to his father's arms. The only way to live life is in the arms of God. The only way for believers to live is to return to the body of the Lord, the church.
III. God bless me
First, he gave Hagar a promise to bless her descendants. This is the same blessing that was given to Abraham. In reality, it is the most desperately needed blessing. It is a sure guarantee for the present and for the future. This blessing of God has been fulfilled as it is. The descendants of Ishmael, the offspring of Hagar, make up Turkey and the Arabs today.
Dear all! What are our real problems today? God solved Hagar's real problem! I believe that you will solve our problems today as well. He also gave Hagar a promise to answer prayer. “You will give birth to a son, and you shall call his name Ishmael, for the Lord has heard your affliction” (verse 11). “Ishmael” is a promise that God hears and answers prayers. God came to Hagar as a God who hears her suffering and a God who answers her prayers. I hope you believe that you are a God who hears my prayers today. "God hears my prayer." What greater blessing is there than this? The promise of answering prayers! All the good stuff is here.
Dear all! Never give up under any circumstances. The God who knew Hagar's suffering, the God who looked after and saw Hagar. This God is our God today. Hagar, who met God, now has a different meaning in her life. A new energy springed up. We sang hope and made a fresh start. Hagar called the spring where she met God “Beer-lahai-roi” (verse 14). The living God who sees! Come before that God. Meet the living God. Hear that voice and behold its glory. I pray that the emotion of 『Beer Lahairoi』 overflows to all of us today.