Most of us know about Abram and Sarai and how they came up with their own plan to conceive an heir through Sarai's maid when it seemed God's promise was taking too long. Well that maid Hagar has a story too. She was a slave, and she didn't have any say-so in the matter. Pregnant with Abram's child, Hagar started having conflict with Sarai and ran away to escape mistreatment. Alone, pregnant and discouraged Hagar was in the desert trying to get away from her oppressive situation. The angel of the LORD visited Hagar and told her to go back and submit to her mistress Sarai. The angel promised Hagar that she would have a son and she would have many descendants. Hagar realized that God saw her situation. It wasn't just about Abraham and Sarah; God loved Hagar and had a promise for her too.

God's Beloved we often find ourselves in situations where we long to escape. Maybe like Hagar you feel like you have no choice in the matter, and feel that God has forgotten you. Maybe you were just being obedient but your obedience led to persecution. Maybe your prayers and petitions seem to go unanswered; or perhaps you feel like a pawn in others' plans. Know that God sees you. Genesis 16 tells us that Hagar was near a spring in the desert. That's what we have to do; find that spring in the desert, that living water from the Holy Spirit - regardless of how uncomfortable the desert experience may seem. The Holy Spirit will give us the power to submit to the hard testing and the ability to persevere to see the promise fulfilled. 

After the visit from the angel of the LORD Hagar named the LORD "the God who sees me," and the well became known as Beer Lahai Roi which means "well of the Living One who sees me." I pray that even in the most troubling of situations you will find your Beer Lahai Roi, and see the One who sees you. He'll never leave you, and He wants to give you double for all your trouble.