God Sees Us: Embracing Our Journey with Him
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Bayside! Today, we explored the profound story of Hagar, a woman who experienced God's presence in her most vulnerable moments. Kristen and I shared our personal journey, emphasizing how God meets us in our hardest seasons. We delved into two pivotal questions posed by an angel to Hagar: "Where have you come from?" and "Where are you going?" These questions invite us to reflect deeply on our past and future, recognizing that our backgrounds, no matter how painful or confusing, do not disqualify us from God's love and purpose.
We examined how God uses broken people for His glory, citing examples like Abraham, King David, and the bleeding woman in Mark 5. These stories remind us that God sees us in our suffering and extends His healing and hope. The second question, "Where are you going?" shifts our focus to our future with God. Jesus' words in John 14 and John 10 highlight that our journey is not about the destination but about who we are with—Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Finally, we looked at Hagar's bold response, naming God "El Roi," the God who sees. This truth is echoed in Mary's song in Luke and Peter's encounter with Jesus after his denial. These stories affirm that God sees us in our best and worst moments and invites us to follow Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Meets Us in Our Hardest Seasons: Our personal story of walking through a difficult season with our daughter illustrates that God is present in our pain. He doesn't abandon us but walks with us, offering comfort and strength. This truth is a reminder that no matter how long or challenging the season, God is with us, and His presence is our anchor. [46:52]
2. Reflecting on Our Past: The question, "Where have you come from?" invites us to honestly examine our past. Whether it's a place of confusion, pain, or joy, acknowledging our history before God is a vulnerable but necessary step. It helps us understand that our past, no matter how broken, does not disqualify us from God's love and purpose. [01:02:08]
3. God Uses Broken People: Stories of Abraham, King David, and the bleeding woman show that God often chooses those with messy backgrounds to fulfill His purposes. Our past mistakes or suffering are not hindrances to God. Instead, He redeems and uses them for His glory, reminding us that His grace is sufficient for all our shortcomings. [01:05:42]
4. Focusing on Our Journey with Jesus: The question, "Where are you going?" shifts our focus from our plans to our relationship with Jesus. John 14 and John 10 emphasize that our journey is about following Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Our job is to listen to His voice and follow Him, trusting that He will lead us where we need to go. [01:12:44]
5. God Sees Us Completely: Hagar's naming of God as "El Roi" and Peter's encounter with Jesus after his denial highlight that God sees us fully. He sees our best and worst moments and still invites us to come to Him. This truth offers immense comfort and assurance that we are never hidden from God's sight, and His love for us is unwavering. [01:17:09]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction and Family Story
[1:30] - Kristen Shares Personal Story
[3:00] - The Story of Hagar
[4:30] - First Question: Where Have You Come From?
[6:00] - Reflecting on Our Past
[8:00] - God Uses Broken People
[10:00] - The Story of the Bleeding Woman
[12:00] - Second Question: Where Are You Going?
[14:00] - Journey with Jesus
[16:00] - Hagar's Bold Response
[18:00] - Mary and Peter's Stories
[20:00] - God Sees Us Completely
[22:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 16:7-14 (The story of Hagar and the angel's questions)
2. John 14:1-7 (Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life)
3. John 10:27 (Jesus as the Good Shepherd)
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the two questions the angel asked Hagar, and why are they significant? [01:00:18]
2. How did Hagar respond to her encounter with the angel, and what name did she give to God? [01:15:04]
3. In John 14:1-7, what does Jesus promise to His disciples about their future?
4. According to John 10:27, what are the characteristics of Jesus' sheep?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the angel's questions to Hagar, "Where have you come from?" and "Where are you going?" are important for us to reflect on today? [01:00:18]
2. How does Hagar's naming of God as "El Roi" (the God who sees) provide comfort and assurance in our own lives? [01:15:04]
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" in John 14:6, and how does this shape our understanding of our journey with Him?
4. How does the imagery of Jesus as the Good Shepherd in John 10:27 help us understand our relationship with Him?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a difficult season in your life. How did you experience God's presence during that time? How can this experience help you trust God in future hardships? [46:52]
2. Take a moment to honestly answer the question, "Where have you come from?" What aspects of your past do you need to bring before God for healing and understanding? [01:02:08]
3. Consider the examples of Abraham, King David, and the bleeding woman. How can their stories encourage you to believe that God can use your brokenness for His glory? [01:05:42]
4. How can you shift your focus from your own plans to following Jesus more closely? What steps can you take to listen to His voice and follow Him daily? [01:12:44]
5. Hagar called God "El Roi," the God who sees. How does knowing that God sees you completely—your best and worst moments—affect your relationship with Him? [01:17:09]
6. Think about a time when you felt unseen or overlooked. How can the truth that God sees you change your perspective and actions in similar situations?
7. Identify one area in your life where you need to trust Jesus as the Good Shepherd. What practical steps can you take this week to follow His guidance in that area?
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Presence in Our Pain
In our hardest seasons, God meets us with His comforting presence. When we walk through difficult times, it can feel like we are alone and abandoned. However, God promises to be with us, offering comfort and strength. This truth is a reminder that no matter how long or challenging the season, God is with us, and His presence is our anchor. Reflecting on personal stories of hardship can help us see how God has been faithful in the past and trust that He will continue to be present in our future. [46:52]
Isaiah 43:2 (ESV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you."
Reflection: Think of a recent difficult season in your life. How did you experience God's presence during that time? If you struggled to feel His presence, what might you do differently to seek Him in future hardships?
Day 2: Reflecting on Our Past
The question, "Where have you come from?" invites us to honestly examine our past. Whether it's a place of confusion, pain, or joy, acknowledging our history before God is a vulnerable but necessary step. It helps us understand that our past, no matter how broken, does not disqualify us from God's love and purpose. By reflecting on our past, we can see how God has been at work in our lives, even in the midst of our struggles and mistakes. This reflection can bring healing and a deeper understanding of God's grace. [01:02:08]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: Take some time to reflect on your past. What are some significant moments that have shaped who you are today? How can you see God's hand at work in those moments, even in the painful ones?
Day 3: God Uses Broken People
Stories of Abraham, King David, and the bleeding woman show that God often chooses those with messy backgrounds to fulfill His purposes. Our past mistakes or suffering are not hindrances to God. Instead, He redeems and uses them for His glory, reminding us that His grace is sufficient for all our shortcomings. This truth encourages us to trust that God can use us, no matter our past, to accomplish His purposes and bring hope to others. [01:05:42]
1 Corinthians 1:27-29 (ESV): "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God."
Reflection: Think about a time when you felt unworthy or inadequate. How can you trust that God can use your weaknesses and past mistakes for His glory? What steps can you take to surrender these areas to Him?
Day 4: Focusing on Our Journey with Jesus
The question, "Where are you going?" shifts our focus from our plans to our relationship with Jesus. John 14 and John 10 emphasize that our journey is about following Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Our job is to listen to His voice and follow Him, trusting that He will lead us where we need to go. This perspective helps us prioritize our relationship with Jesus over our own ambitions and trust that He has a good plan for our lives. [01:12:44]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What are some areas of your life where you are focused more on your own plans than on your relationship with Jesus? How can you shift your focus to listening to His voice and following His lead?
Day 5: God Sees Us Completely
Hagar's naming of God as "El Roi" and Peter's encounter with Jesus after his denial highlight that God sees us fully. He sees our best and worst moments and still invites us to come to Him. This truth offers immense comfort and assurance that we are never hidden from God's sight, and His love for us is unwavering. Knowing that God sees us completely can give us the courage to be honest with Him and trust in His love and grace. [01:17:09]
Psalm 139:1-3 (ESV): "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 afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways."
Reflection: How does knowing that God sees you completely affect your relationship with Him? Are there areas of your life that you have been hiding from God? How can you bring these areas into the light and trust in His love and grace?
Quotes
1. "And anyone who's walked through seasons, um, hard like that, or even remotely like that, you know it's not just like a one day thing or a one month thing, or even a one year thing, but that it sticks with you and grieving still today. We grieve things that our daughter doesn't get to experience with us. Our kids don't get to know her and that's still hard. Um, but life is full of all sorts of experiences and it can be confusing. We walk through, all of us walk through confusing times. We all walk through lonely times. We all walk through, um, times of hurting and exciting, and it's all like tangled up together, right?" [46:52] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "I think often, as I observe myself and people around me, we think where we have come from disqualifies us from walking with God or what He wants to do. I think where we have come from, we think that we need to get cleaned up before we can come to God. I think sometimes we think that God can't use someone like me. Or on the other end of the spectrum, we might think maybe not even a different person, but the same person. Sometimes you feel like, oh my God, things are going wrong. I'm not going to be able to do this. I'm not going to be able to do this. I'm pretty good. I got it all together. God, you're kind of lucky that I'm on your side here, right? Which also, probably more unhealthy thinking." [01:03:49] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God tends to take the broken, tends to, I don't think it's right to say He doesn't care about our background, but it's not a hindrance to Him. With Abraham, Abram and Sarai, when he, Sarai began to hate Hagar. And she went, it's just one of those stories that like, of course, this is what's going to happen. Why don't you sleep with Hagar? And then it happens, and then she's pregnant. And then big surprise, Sarah doesn't like that. And so she goes to Abram and is like, you know, I don't like her. I have some pretty bad feelings. And Abram's advice, this is like where it all began. Like New Testament points back to Abram as the man of faith. His advice to his wife, Sarai, was she's your servant. Treat her how you want to treat her. Like that's not good advice, right? And that's what Sarai did. And she mistreated her. And that's the kind of person that God takes and redeems and uses." [01:05:42] (68 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "There was a woman in Jesus' time. There was a woman who had, this is the story of the bleeding woman, but she had been bleeding for 12 years. That doesn't, that's 12 years. That's a long time to be considered by your society as unclean. It says that she had spent all she had trying to get better and the doctors couldn't do it. She felt hopeless. She had no money. And then there's rumblings of this man who can heal Jesus. And Jesus happens to be coming to her town. And so she thinks, if I could just, if I could just, if I could just, just touch his clothing, I think I might be healed. And so there's, he comes, there's a giant crowd around. She's one of the people in the crowd. She probably shouldn't be because she's unclean, but she sneaks in there and she touches his clothing, his cloak, or his robe. And immediately to her surprise, she could feel in her body that the bleeding had stopped, that she was cured." [01:07:42] (84 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So where are you going? So I was thinking of this question or pondering this question. So I try to read the Bible and spend time with the Lord daily. And one of those days, I was reading John 14, which is on the slide. Next slide. So John 14, 1 through 7, I thought provided some insight, and it's kind of an awesome story. So it says, this is Jesus speaking. And Jesus often speaks in very confusing ways, and this is one of those times. So he says, don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If it were not so, would I have told you that I'm going to prepare a place for you?" [01:11:05] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So I think our job, our destination is really listening to him and following him. That's what our job is. So a couple of questions for myself, really, but for you is, as we go, as we walk out of these doors and as you go about your normal, Monday week, how are you doing at listening to his voice? How are you doing at following him? So that was question number one and question number two. And then the last part is a bold statement. So Hagar's response. So this I think is crazy too. So slave woman, foreigner, mistreated, an angel's talking to her. She felt the freedom to give a name, God almighty. That's pretty big. She says, you are El Roy, the God who sees me. That's a bold move for this woman, but it was truth." [01:12:44] (91 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "He took notice of me. He is El Roy. He is the God who sees, me. So Mary knew the same thing that Hagar knew. Another, one more story, and then I'm going to pass off to Kristen. Another, which I think is worth mentioning story is with Peter. And in Luke 22, 60 to 62, so at the end of Jesus' life, he says, right before, well, like the end of his time with the disciples, he tells Peter, hey, Simon, I'm going to be with you, and I'm going to be with you, you are going to deny me three times and Simon says never never will this happen I will not I will die with you and Jesus patiently knows that it is true and he just tells him and so then Jesus is betrayed and they get him they capture Jesus and then if you don't know the story Peter does follow along he denies him once he denies him twice and then this is what happens in the third one he's accused of knowing or being with Jesus but Peter said man I don't know what you're talking about and immediately while he was still speaking the rooster crowed at that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter that's intense suddenly the Lord's words flashed" [01:17:09] (102 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "What an awesome Lord what an awesome Savior I think he sees not just Peter he sees you and me he sees us at our worst and he doesn't flinch isn't that awesome that he's the God who sees us and he doesn't turn away in disgust or turn away in man you really messed up this time he sees us in our best moments he sees us in our worst moments and all the while he invites us to come and listen to him and to follow him no matter which" [01:17:09] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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