Genesis 16:7-16

Courage for life comes from the God who sees.

I had achieved everything my highschool self could have hoped for. College brought a sense of independence. I could set my own course, decide what my future would hold; take it into my own hands. And it was working rather well.

I was popular. Student president, the life of the party, and there was always a party. DJ for my fraternity and one of the better clubs in town. Lots of “friends.”

But it was never enough, because I felt empty. I never felt known, truly seen.

So I would run after pointless things that still couldn’t satisfy, and it would take a series of knocks before I would finally open the door to a God who sees, hears, and knows me, and still loves me enough to give himself up for me to have life in him.

And today we have a short story that matches that vibe.

If you feel unseen, alone, or you feel like the wait has been too long, or the life you are called to is too hard, hold on. He sees you. He goes with you.

Courage for life comes from the God who sees.

Hagar, an Egyptian slave to Sarai, Abram’s wife. The man who has been promised to be a great nation but to get there needs kids. He was seventy-five when he got the promise and now he has been in Canaan for ten years.

Recap - Abram has just come from the gloriously acted out contract or covenant making; Yahweh saying “I will do it!” by walking through the carcasses and blood of animals. Abram can “know for certain” that his offspring will be sojourners and eventually come into this promised land.

He was full of faith for it.

But with the stroke of the pen there is impatience. Sarai is barren, seemingly, unable to have children. And she gives her servant to Abram to produce an heir.

This sounds crazy to us, it would be trafficking today. But this was the norm, following Hamarabi’s code. It’s what she knew to do. Doesn’t lessen the gravity of it. Forced surrogacy.

Remember though, God will do it, and this is disobediently taking the matter into their own hands.

Hagar is not merely an extra in the story, here she takes center stage as jealous Sarai is harsh and Hagar flees.

Alone, maybe trying to go back home where she is known. Unseen. Feeling used.

The Angel of the LORD found her. A theophany, God himself appears. More than just appearing, I love that it says he found her.

He asks her where she is going. And he gives her a promise because Yahweh has listened to her affliction. Multiplied offspring. She is told that she is pregnant with a son, Ishmael (God hears), who will be a handful, for generations to come.

Then we get to the gold.

Genesis 16:13 “So she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” (ESV)

“When she felt as if God were absent, she learned that he was watching over her (cf. Psalm 139:1-12). Her soul sang. She was the only person, male or female, in the Old Testament who conferred a name on God.” Hughes

“You are a God who sees me.”

An advocate, the One who looks after me, who is with her. Hagar has been through the worst and comes through because she is seen by God, and she has the courage, obedience to go back, to live, to face life because she has had an encounter with the God who sees.

“Hagar ran away from Sarai and ran into God. These names do not stress the gift she has received (a child), but the Giver of that gift. A distraught, frightened, pregnant, non-Israelite slave girl encounters God in a desert, and is never the same again.” Victor P. Hamilton

This isn’t uniquely Hagar’s story. It’s Israel’s story, it’s our story.

Finally returning to the land, the offspring of Abraham realize it will require courage to take on the nations that remain there. And under Joshua’s leading, the LORD will give them over, his purpose will prevail. Moses’ last exhortation to Israel:

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” (ESV)

Looks after you, goes with you. Take courage.

Then in the New Testament, the author of Hebrews, calling believers to the steady Christian life; to maintain brotherly love, hospitality, remembering the least, honoring marriage:

Hebrews 13:5–6 “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [6] So we can confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper;

I will not fear;

what can man do to me?” (ESV)

Courage to live, the purpose he has given us. The holiness he has called us to. The sacrificial way he modeled for us. Because he sees us, hears us, and he responds.

God's presence is with us even when we feel isolated or hurt by our situations. Just like Hagar, we can cry out to God in our distress and receive His reassurance and guidance for our lives.

“Most of us are not great in the world’s eyes, and many are suffering or being as unjustly treated as Hagar was. You may be at the end of your rope. You may feel utterly abandoned. If so, the message in this chapter is for you: God sees you where you are and cares for you as you are. You are no less important to him than Hagar was.” – James Boice

How?

When we were still lost and alone, he came for us.

By the supreme example of God fulfilling his promises amid what appears to be his utter absence, the cross of Christ. Here, if ever, it seemed that Satan was winning, yet it was precisely here that God was at work to decisively fulfill his promise to his people.

When we believe in him, we have eternal life in him, and the courage to live it, empowered by His Spirit.

And we sing with David.

Psalm 139:1–10

Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

[1] O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

[2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

[3] You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

[4] Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

[5] You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.

[7] Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

[8] If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

[9] If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

[10] even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.” (ESV)

Courage for life comes from the God who sees.

He sees you, loves you, chooses you. Call on Jesus, believe in Him as your savior, and live the life of courage he will call you to.