El Roi: Assurance That God Sees and Understands
GRACE FOX
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“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13 (NIV)
Lonely. Weary. Scared. That’s how I felt the day a 6-foot snake slithered into my kitchen past my feet.
My husband and I were living in Nepal and assisting a faith-based organization with economic development. Adjusting to village life without electricity and running water had taxed me. So had chronic illness, isolation, and parenting a newborn. I was depleted. Done. The sight of that critter threw fuel on the fire of my desire to run away and return to all things familiar.
A neighbor killed the serpent, but the rescue could not calm my inner chaos. When my husband returned from work, I shed a bucketful of tears.
For no apparent reason, he switched on our shortwave radio, only for us to hear a male quartet singing the hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”
We went on to live in that Nepali village for two years and heard an English radio program only once. It happened that night. Was it coincidental? Not if you ask me. I’m convinced God saw my desperate state and, in His goodness, showed up with a song to align my thoughts with His Truth.
It was my “Hagar moment.”
In Scripture, Hagar was an Egyptian slave working in Abram and Sarai’s household. Being there, not in her homeland, meant she lost everything familiar — her language, culture, religion, and relationships. Depleted and distraught, she eventually ran away after Sarai, trying to “help” God fulfill His promise of an heir for Abram, “gave [Hagar] to her husband to be his wife” (Genesis 16:3, NIV).
Lonely. Weary. Scared. That’s how Hagar, now pregnant, probably felt as she sat in the wilderness.
But God saw her desperate state. The angel of the Lord appeared, called her by name, and gave her direction for the future. The divine encounter strengthened Hagar, and she marked it by bestowing a name on God: “‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me’” (Genesis 16:13).
“The God who sees me” is the English translation of a Hebrew name: El Roi. This name suggests more than physical sight. It also implies care and understanding. We might say God sees us with the eyes of His heart.
Experiencing God and recognizing Him by this name gave Hagar the courage to return to Sarai’s household. The same God strengthened me to remain in the village.
My friend, you might feel alone, weary, and scared, but rest assured: God sees you. Watch for evidence of His presence — in a song, an encouraging email, a random act of kindness.
Know you are not alone.
Know He understands.
Know you are loved.
God, thank You for seeing and understanding me. Help me recognize Your presence in my hard places. Give strength and grant peace as I live from the truth that El Roi sees me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Discover more about who God is, as manifested through seven of His Hebrew names, in Grace’s new book, released yesterday! Grab a copy of Names of God: Knowing Peace here. An ideal small group resource, it also contains bonus video teachings for each chapter.
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FOR DEEPER STUDY
2 Chronicles 16:9a, “For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (NASB).
What does God want to see when He looks throughout the earth? What does He promise to do when He finds what He is looking for?
Today, ask the Lord to open your eyes to see evidence of His presence. Thank Him in advance, and watch with joyful expectancy. Join us in the comments as we do this together!
© 2025 by Grace Fox. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28106
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