El Roi: The God Who Sees and Delivers

 

Summary

In the story of Hagar from Genesis 16, we encounter a woman who felt invisible, discarded, and alone—yet it was in her wilderness that she discovered El Roi, the God who sees. This is a powerful reminder that no matter how overlooked or misunderstood we may feel, God’s eyes are always upon us. He is not a distant observer, but a loving Father who recognizes our full humanity—our struggles, our joys, our wounds, and our potential. Just as the Zulu greeting “saubona” means “I see you” in a way that affirms dignity and worth, God’s seeing is an act of deep recognition and love.

Hagar’s story teaches that God’s vision is not limited to our circumstances; He sees the heart behind our actions, the pain behind our reactions, and the hope behind our prayers. When others see only our mistakes or our attitude, God sees the wounds and anxieties that drive us. He meets us at our lowest points, not to judge, but to acknowledge, value, and restore us. God’s seeing is always followed by action—He not only observes, but He intervenes, provides, and delivers.

God’s presence is not passive. He is the God who hears as well as sees. Just as He heard the cries of His people in Egypt and came down to deliver them, He hears our cries and comes to our aid. Our “Egypts”—the places of bondage, pain, or fear—are not invisible to Him. He is our present help, our provider, and our deliverer, meeting us right where we are, even in the desert places of our lives.

The comfort of being fully seen by God is that we are never alone. His watchful eye is upon us in every season—on the mountaintop and in the valley, in our breaking and in our breakthrough. He is attentive to every tear, every whisper, every unspoken prayer. Our response to God’s “I see you” is to acknowledge His presence and to trust that His seeing leads to our salvation, not just surveillance. In every chapter of our lives, God is there—guiding, providing, and delivering.

Key Takeaways

- God Sees Beyond the Surface: While people may only notice our outward reactions, God sees the deeper reasons—our wounds, anxieties, and silent struggles. He recognizes the pain that others overlook and meets us with compassion and understanding, not condemnation. This divine seeing affirms our worth and reminds us that we are never truly invisible. [28:18]

- God’s Vision Leads to Action: God’s awareness of our situation is never passive. When He sees, He also moves—providing, guiding, and delivering us at just the right moment. His presence is not just comforting; it is transformative, bringing hope and direction even in our wilderness. [30:19]

- God Hears as Well as Sees: The God who saw Hagar also heard her cries, just as He heard the cries of Israel in Egypt. Our prayers, even when wordless or whispered, are never ignored. God’s attentive ear assures us that our pain and petitions matter deeply to Him. [33:54]

- God Is Present in Every Season: El Roi is not just the God of our victories, but also of our valleys, our breaking, and our waiting. He is with us in every chapter—when we are strong and when we are weak, when we are seen by others and when we feel forgotten. His faithfulness is unchanging, and His presence is our constant anchor. [35:51]

- Our Response: Mutual Recognition: When God says, “I see you,” our worship becomes a response of “I see you too, Lord.” This mutual recognition transforms our relationship with God from one of mere reception to one of active engagement and trust. It is in this divine exchange that we experience not just deliverance, but transformation and deeper intimacy with our Creator. [39:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Opening Prayer and Scripture Reading
[02:10] - Introduction: Divine Surveillance
[04:00] - The Year of Present Help
[06:15] - Feeling Invisible: Hagar’s Story
[09:30] - The Meaning of “Saubona”
[12:05] - God’s Seeing: Beyond Observation
[15:20] - Hagar’s Wilderness Encounter
[18:45] - God Sees Our Hearts
[22:30] - When Others Misjudge Us
[25:50] - God’s Vision and Action
[28:18] - God Hears as Well as Sees
[30:19] - Deliverance from Our Egypts
[33:54] - God’s Presence in Every Season
[35:51] - God of the Valley and the Mountaintop
[39:39] - Responding to the God Who Sees
[41:00] - Closing Praise and Thanksgiving

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: The God Who Sees (El Roi)

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### Bible Reading

- Genesis 16:13-14 (NRSV)
> So she named the Lord who spoke to her, “You are El Roi,” for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?” Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.

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### Observation Questions

1. In Genesis 16:13-14, what name does Hagar give to God, and what does it mean? Why is this significant in her story? [00:41]
2. According to the sermon, what were some of the circumstances that led Hagar to feel invisible and alone? [06:15]
3. What does the Zulu greeting “saubona” mean, and how was it used in the sermon to describe God’s relationship with us? [09:30]
4. What did the angel of the Lord promise Hagar at the well, and how did this encounter change her situation? [15:20]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Hagar’s experience of being “seen” by God was so transformative for her, especially considering her status and situation? [09:30]
2. The sermon says that God’s seeing is not just observation but deep recognition and love. How is this different from how people usually “see” each other? [12:05]
3. The angel tells Hagar to name her son Ishmael, meaning “God hears.” What does this reveal about God’s character and how He responds to our pain? [15:20]
4. The sermon mentions that God’s vision leads to action, not just comfort. What are some ways God’s “seeing” led to action in Hagar’s story? [18:45]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon described times when we feel invisible or misunderstood, like Hagar. Can you share a time when you felt unseen by others? How did you respond, and did you sense God’s presence in that moment? [06:15]
2. When people only see our reactions and not the pain or anxiety behind them, it can be discouraging. Is there an area in your life right now where you wish someone would see the “real” you? How might knowing that God sees you change your perspective? [28:18]
3. The Zulu greeting “saubona” means “I see you.” How can you practice “seeing” others in your daily life—at home, work, or church—in a way that affirms their dignity and worth? [09:30]
4. The sermon says God’s seeing is always followed by action—He provides, guides, and delivers. Is there a situation in your life where you need to trust that God is not just watching but is actively working for your good? What would it look like to trust Him in that area? [30:19]
5. God hears as well as sees. Are there prayers or cries of your heart that you feel have gone unheard? How does the story of Hagar encourage you to keep praying or to be honest with God about your struggles? [33:54]
6. The sermon talked about God being present in every season—mountaintop and valley, breaking and breakthrough. Where are you right now? How can you invite God into your current season, whether it’s a high or a low? [35:51]
7. Our response to God’s “I see you” is to say, “I see you too, Lord.” What would it look like for you to actively acknowledge God’s presence in your daily routine this week? Is there a specific way you want to respond to His love and attention? [39:39]

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Thank God for being El Roi, the God who sees, hears, and acts. Ask Him to help you see others as He sees them, and to trust His presence and provision in every season.

Devotional

Day 1: God Sees Every Situation—You Are Not Invisible
No matter how overlooked or abandoned you may feel, God sees you completely—your struggles, your pain, your joys, and your essence. Just as Hagar, alone and afraid in the wilderness, encountered El Roi, the God who sees, you too are fully known and valued by God even when others dismiss or misunderstand you. God’s divine surveillance is not about judgment, but about loving recognition and presence; He meets you right where you are, even in your driest and most desperate places, and affirms your dignity and worth. [28:18]

Genesis 16:13-14 (NRSV)
So she named the Lord who spoke to her, “You are El-roi”; for she said, “Have I really seen God and remained alive after seeing him?” Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.

Reflection: When have you felt unseen or overlooked by others? How might you open your heart today to recognize that God sees and values you fully, even in your most hidden struggles?


Day 2: God Knows Your Heart—Beyond What Others See
God’s vision goes deeper than outward appearances or misunderstood actions; He sees the true condition of your heart, your wounds, and your intentions, even when others misinterpret or judge you. Like Hagar, whose pain was invisible to those around her, you can trust that God knows your story and your suffering before you can even put it into words. He searches you, understands you, and is familiar with all your ways, offering comfort and understanding that surpasses human perception. [30:19]

Psalm 139:1-4 (NRSV)
O Lord, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O Lord, you know it completely.

Reflection: Is there a part of your heart or story that you feel no one else understands? Take a moment to bring it honestly before God, trusting that He sees and knows you fully.


Day 3: God Hears Your Cry and Comes to Deliver
God is not only the God who sees, but also the God who hears your cries and comes down to deliver you from bondage, pain, and oppression. Just as He heard the cries of His people in Egypt and came to rescue them, He is attentive to your prayers, your tears, and your silent groans. No struggle or “Egypt” in your life is invisible to Him; He is actively working to bring you out into a place of freedom, provision, and hope. [33:54]

Exodus 3:7-8 (NRSV)
Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey…”

Reflection: What is your “Egypt” right now—a place of struggle or bondage? In prayer today, name it before God and ask Him to bring you into His freedom and deliverance.


Day 4: God’s Presence Is Unfailing—He Is With You Always
God’s watchful eye and attentive ear are with you in every season—on the mountaintop and in the valley, in moments of breakthrough and in times of breaking. He is not a distant observer but a perfectly present provider, guiding, strengthening, and sustaining you from your first breath to your last. Even when you feel alone or overwhelmed, God’s presence is your constant comfort and assurance that you are never abandoned. [35:51]

Psalm 46:5 (NRSV)
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be reminded that God is with you right now? How can you rest in His presence and trust His guidance today?


Day 5: Our Response—Seeing God Seeing Us
When God says, “I see you,” He invites you into a relationship of mutual recognition and worship—a divine exchange where you respond, “I see you too, Lord.” Your praise and gratitude become a way of acknowledging His loving surveillance, His deliverance, and His faithfulness. This response transforms your prayer life from simply asking for things to recognizing and celebrating God’s presence, nature, and salvation in every chapter of your story. [39:39]

Psalm 34:17 (NRSV)
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.

Reflection: How can you intentionally respond to God’s loving gaze today—with worship, gratitude, or a simple “I see you too, Lord”? What might change in your life if you lived each day aware of His watchful, caring presence?

Quotes

Have you ever felt like no one sees you, like you're doing everything in your power just to keep your head above water, you're fighting battles that no one knows about, you're crying tears that no one sees? Have you ever felt like you're standing in a crowded room screaming at the top of your lungs, and not one single person turns their head to help you, or let alone acknowledge your pain? You're praying the same prayer night after night wondering if God is even listening. Well today I want to let you know that God sees you right where you are, and God doesn't just observe our struggles, he acts, he opens doors that no one can shut, he elevates the humble and gives voice to the voiceless. [00:23:30]
Just as saubona means seeing someone completely, God seeing goes beyond observation to complete understanding. When scripture says that God sees us, it means that he recognizes our full humanity, he recognizes our struggles, our joys, our potential, our very core. God seeing is an act of love and recognition rather than just mere monitoring. God sees not to judge, but to acknowledge and to value. [00:25:00]
So in Genesis chapter 16, we find a woman named Hagar, and she is not a woman of power or prestige, but she is a slave woman, the Bible tells us she was an Egyptian maid servant belonging to Sarai, Abram's wife, now Sarai couldn't have children, and in her desperation, she gave Hagar to Abram as a surrogate, and when Hagar conceived, she began looking down on Sarai, could you imagine the tension in the household, scripture says that Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that Hagar ran away, she was pregnant, she was alone.and she was afraid. This woman had no voice, no power, and no choice. She was used, abused, and pushed out into the desert, carrying a child that wasn't even her choice to conceive.If anyone had a reason to feel abandoned, it was Hagar. But in verse 7, we read that the angel of the Lord found her by a spring in the desert. [00:25:49]
God is like that surveillance camera in a store that never blinks. He sees when something falls. He sees when a shelf collapses. He even sees a thief who walks in thinking no one is watching.God's eyes don't miss a single detail of our life. Now, you might be in a dry place right now, emotionally dry, spiritually dry, financially dry, but that doesn't mean God has abandoned you. He sees you by the well, and he is coming to meet you there. [00:26:55]
Hagar, rejected and alone in the wilderness, encounters God and names him El Roy, the God who sees. Now, this isn't about God catching her, but it is about God recognizing her when everyone else had dismissed her. It was a divine saubona moment, a moment when God not merely acknowledged her physical presence, but recognized her entire being, her dignity, her humanity, her struggles, her joys, and her essence. God was saying to her, I see you completely, and I value you. [00:27:27]
Sometimes when people look at us, they only see our reaction, but they miss the reason behind it. They only see our anger, but they miss our hurt. They see our withdrawal, but they miss our wounds. They see our attitude, but they miss our anxiety. [00:28:34]
Maybe you've been like Hagar. You've walked out of a job with a box of your belongings. You've walked out of a relationship with a broken heart. You've walked out of a situation with tears streaming down your face, and you didn't even know where you were going next. But God saw the pain in your heart before you even had the words to pray it out. [00:29:13]
God sees your heart even when others misinterpret your intentions. God sees your heart when people misjudge your character.And God sees your heart through all the things that we face on a daily basis. The beauty of being fully seen by God extends beyond just mere recognition. When Elroy fixes his gaze upon us, his vision is always followed by action. [00:29:35]
So first we read that God sees, and now we are told that God hears. Isn't that powerful?In the same moment that Hagar discovers Elroy, the God who sees, she is reminded that he is also the God who hears. [00:30:12]
Who or what are the Egyptians in your life? Is it financial bondage? Is it a toxic relationship? Is it generational curses? Is it family dysfunction? Is it shame, regret, illness, pain, fear, unforgiveness? God has come down to deliver us. He's come down to bring us up out of the land of Egypt, to a land that is good and spacious and flowing with milk and honey. [00:30:59]
Elroy sees your specific Egypt and the God who saw Hagar at the well sees you in your wilderness. Your Egypt is not invisible to him and neither is your exodus. God is our perfectly present provider. He is perfectly present, meaning he is always there and he provides our needs even before we ask. [00:31:45]
After her divine encounter, Hagar named the place Be 'er Lahai Roy, the well of the living one who sees me.God didn't just see her from a distance.He met her at the well right where she was. He spoke to her personally and then he gave her direction and he sent her back with a promise for her future. [00:32:34]
Picture yourself on a stormy sea. At night, the waves are crashing. The wind is howling. You've lost your bearings and you're afraid you might not make it through the night. But suddenly in the distance, you see a lighthouse shining bright. This light never wavers. It never dims. It is always watching, always guiding. It is always present. That is El Roy. He is always watching. He is always present and he is always guiding us. [00:33:09]
God seeing you doesn't mean you have to be perfect. It means you are loved as you are. And God seeing you, he is not only seeing the faithful, but he also.sees the forgotten, the frustrated, and those in the middle.Do you realize what this means? It means that even in your darkest moment, God saw you. Even when you were at your lowest, God did not lose sight of you. Even when you thought you were invisible, God's eyes were fixed on you. [00:33:43]
Elroy, he has his watchful eye upon you at this very moment.He has his eyes on you when you are crying in your pillow at night. He has his eyes on you when you wake up and put on a brave face, but yet you're breaking inside. God sees you when you're wondering how you're going to make it through another day. Elroy is not a distant observer. He is the God who sees and he is the God who hears. [00:34:12]
He is the one who counts the tears falling from our eyes. He is the one who counts the words that rise from our heart when we can't even open up our mouth to speak. Psalm 34 17, the righteous cry out and the Lord hears them. He delivers them from all their troubles. God's ears are as attentive as his eyes are vigilant. [00:34:43]
When your voice has been reduced to a whisper because of disappointment, God hears you. When your prayers seem to just bounce off the ceiling, God hears you. When you can no longer form the words and all you have is a groan in your spirit, God hears you. The God that sees and the God that hears is also the God who's come to deliver.His vision leads to his visitation. His hearing leads to his helping. [00:35:06]
He's not just God of the mountaintop, but he is God of the valley. Hallelujah. He's not just the God of promotion, but he is the God of preparation.He's not just the God of breakthrough. He is the God of our breaking process. From the first breath to our last breath, and every breath in between, El Roy sees it all. [00:36:33]
He saw Daniel in the lion's den, and he shut the lion's mouth. He saw the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace, and he walked with them in the fire. He saw Joseph in the prison cell, and he elevated him to the palace. He saw David running from Saul, and he delivered him to the throne. He saw Esther standing before the king, and he turned the tables on Haman. He saw the woman with the issue of blood in the crowd, and he stopped everything to heal her. And he sees you right now, right where you are, and he has come down to deliver you. [00:37:06]
He sees your struggle, and he's come to strengthen you. He sees your sacrifice, and he's come to reward you. He sees your service, and he's come to replenish you. He sees your surrender, and he has come to revive you. He doesn't just see your needs. He meets every deed. He doesn't just hear your cry. He answers your cry. He doesn't just witness your pain, but he delivers you from it. [00:37:45]
Your tears have not gone unnoticed. Your prayers have not gone unheard. Your faith has not gone unrewarded. And your deliverance has not been delayed. It is being deployed even now, because Elroy, the God who sees, has his eyes on you. His ears are tuned to you, and his hand is extended towards you. [00:38:26]
When God sees you, it's not surveillance. It's salvation. For us to say, yebu saubona. I see you too. For us to say, yebu saubona. Thank you.When God sees you, hallelujah, it's not just reception, it's response. When God delivers you, it's not just liberation, it's transformation.Our prayer becomes not just asking for things, but recognizing God's presence and his nature. Our prayer should become a divine exchange where the God who says, I see you, meets the worshiper who responds, and I see you seeing me. [00:39:25]
We are never alone even when we are in the desert god is gonna bring a spring hallelujah hallelujah right to us our our prayers are never hallelujah unnoticed by his ears and we thank him. [00:42:20]
The lord has said i have indeed seen the misery of my people and i have heard them crying i am concerned about their suffering and i have come to rescue them god has seen god has heard hallelujah and god is concerned about your suffering and he has come down today hallelujah to deliver you right where you are whether you are in this place or whether you are watching from home god sees you right where you are god has heard your prayer he has heard your cry he has heard your prayers and he says i have come down to deliver you divine surveillance the god who sees he is el roy he sees us he knows us hallelujah he is not some unattached being hallelujah but he is here just for us. [00:42:40]
No matter how invisible we may feel thank you jesus no matter how we feel no one sees what we're doing hallelujah god sees el roy sees he sees us in our distress he sees us in our pain he sees us in our misery and he is here to deliver us. [00:43:38]

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