December 13

God's Thought Of Me

So Hagar gave this name to the LORD who had spoken to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Here I have seen the One who sees me!” — Gen 16:13 BSB

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! — Ps 139:17 BSB

Hagar was an Egyptian slave-girl, brought up in the idol-worship of Egypt, with no idea that the gods could have any interest in someone as insignificant as her. In Abraham’s camp, she had probably heard of Jehovah, but likely thought of Him as distant and unconcerned with her life. What interest could the God of her master and mistress have in her as she fled from Sarah’s harsh treatment and faced possible death in the lonely desert? But in her despair, she suddenly heard the voice of the Angel of the Lord speaking to her. She called Him “The Living One who sees me.”

For Hagar, this thought was a source of comfort and inspiration, giving her the strength to return and submit herself to Sarah. But for many, these words are associated with fear and judgment, as they imagine God watching their every wrong move. However, the true meaning of these words is not about spying or condemning, but about the fact that we can never wander so far or experience such loneliness that God doesn’t tenderly notice us. God sees even the sparrow that falls to the ground, and He sees us, too.

The Psalmist expresses the same idea in Psalm 139. When he says that God knows his every movement and thought, he speaks with joyful confidence. It is the privilege of true friendship to treasure the presence and thoughts of a friend. The highest mark of Christianity is that we are invited into personal friendship with our Lord, who knows our thoughts from afar. He shares in our anxieties and discouragements. Wherever we go, He goes before us and follows behind. His care surrounds us completely. Let each of us open the door to this great Friend, remembering that His only test is obedience: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” Then we will find that His presence is the delight of our lives (Revelation 3:20).

Prayer

We thank You, O God, that You have been with us on our path, knowing all our ways, and surrounding us with Your blessings. Your eye has been upon us to deliver us from death and be our help and shield. For all Your gracious care, we give You thanks. Amen.