March 28 El Roi: The God Who Sees Me

 

Theme: Finding Comfort in God's Omnipresence and Care in Every Situation

Sharon Campbell-Danvers
North Side SDA Church

"And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?" – Genesis 16:13 (KJV)

Can you see me? Can you see what I am going through? Can you see my pain?

The title El Roi is translated to mean "The God who sees me." The original Hebrew meaning conveys the idea of a shepherd who watches, looks after, and cares for his flock. It is a powerful reminder that even when we feel invisible or forgotten, God sees us. He is always watching over us, understanding our struggles, and walking with us through every season of our lives.

During my childhood, my mother took us to live with our father in Hazard, St. Mary. As the name suggests, life was filled with hardship and pain. My brother and I faced abuse and rejection, and from the very first day, we knew we were unwelcome. In fact, we were beaten the very day our mother left us there, without our father’s knowledge.  That painful moment was just the beginning of an experience that was deeply traumatic for us.

To make matters worse, both our father and stepmother treated us with the same harshness. Church attendance was nonexistent, but deep inside, we knew that there had to be something better than what we were experiencing. Tears became our comfort, but we were yet to recognize that there was Someone who saw everything we were going through. God had not turned His eyes away although we did not know him on a personal level. 

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;" – Psalm 33:18 (KJV)

After years of pain and suffering, we finally got our breakthrough and left that place. Yet, unbeknown to us, another difficult encounter awaited us. At the time, we could not see the hand of God at work. But now, looking back, it is evident that He was with us all along. He was our friend, protector, and provider—our El Roi, the God who sees. There were nights that I slept under the cellar or house and He was with me. Days I slept without food and he sustained me.

God saw every tear, every unspoken word, every silent cry. Even when I thought no one understood my pain, He did. No one else could interpret the silence I carried, but God could. And like a shepherd watching over his sheep, He never took His eyes off me.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." – 2 Chronicles 16:9 (KJV)

No matter what you are going through today, God sees you. He understands the depths of your pain and walks beside you, even in the darkest moments. He has not forgotten you, and in His time, He will deliver you. Look for him in the small things, He will show up. Look for him in every encounter and He will reveal himself to you.

Prayer:

O Lord, my El Roi, You are the God who sees me. In my moments of pain and despair, You have never turned away. You watch over me like a shepherd watches his sheep. You know my silent cries and the burdens I carry. Thank You for Your constant presence, for being my protection and my deliverer. May I always find comfort in the knowledge that You see, You care, and You are working all things for my good. In Jesus' name, Amen.