God Sees Us: Finding Hope in Suffering
Summary
### Summary
Tonight, we delved into the profound and often challenging subject of suffering, a universal experience that touches every life, regardless of faith. We began with the touching story of Christopher Ward Jr., a blind boy who, through a special device, saw his mother's face for the first time. This story illustrated the difference between seeing and being seen, setting the stage for our exploration of Genesis 16 and the story of Hagar.
In Genesis 16, we encounter Sarai, Abram, and Hagar. Sarai, unable to bear children, devises a plan to have a child through her Egyptian servant, Hagar. This plan, born out of impatience and a lack of trust in God's timing, leads to a complex and painful situation. Hagar, who is used and mistreated, flees into the wilderness, where she encounters the angel of the Lord. This divine encounter is significant because it is the first time Hagar is addressed by name and seen for who she truly is.
The narrative highlights the tension between God's promises and human impatience. Sarai's actions, driven by her desperation and societal pressures, reflect a common struggle: the temptation to take matters into our own hands when God's timing doesn't align with our expectations. Yet, even in the midst of this mess, God shows up. He sees Hagar, hears her affliction, and promises her a future.
This story teaches us about the nature of God. He is a God who sees and hears us in our suffering. He is present in our pain and works through it to fulfill His purposes. The story of Hagar reminds us that our suffering does not go unnoticed by God. He is intimately aware of our struggles and is actively involved in our lives, even when we feel invisible or abandoned.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Sees and Hears Us in Our Suffering: The story of Hagar illustrates that God is deeply aware of our pain and afflictions. He sees us when we feel invisible and hears us when we feel unheard. This divine attentiveness assures us that we are never alone in our suffering. [36:39]
2. Impatience Can Lead to Painful Consequences: Sarai's decision to take matters into her own hands, rather than waiting on God's timing, resulted in a complex and painful situation for everyone involved. This teaches us the importance of trusting God's timing and His plans, even when they seem delayed. [16:53]
3. God's Promises Are Fulfilled in His Timing: Despite Sarai's impatience, God's promise to Abram was still fulfilled. This reminds us that God's promises are sure and will come to pass in His perfect timing, not ours. Our role is to trust and wait faithfully. [15:05]
4. Suffering Can Be Redemptive: The narrative of Hagar and the broader biblical context show that suffering, while painful, can have a redemptive purpose. It can draw us closer to God, refine our character, and fulfill His greater purposes in our lives. [49:33]
5. God's Nature Is Unchanging: Even when circumstances are difficult and God's actions are hard to understand, His nature remains constant. He is always good, merciful, and loving. Our understanding of God should be rooted in His revealed nature, not our fluctuating circumstances. [14:24]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:26] - Introduction: The Story of Christopher Ward Jr.
[04:06] - The Unseen Woman: Hagar's Story
[04:50] - Reading Genesis 16:1-6
[06:51] - Hagar's Encounter with the Angel of the Lord
[08:23] - Sarai's Desperation and Plan
[10:50] - The Social and Internal Implications of Infertility
[12:42] - Sarai's Right Theology but Wrong Actions
[15:05] - The Nature of God and His Restrictions
[16:53] - Misplaced Hope and Impatience
[18:38] - The Consequences of Taking Matters into Our Own Hands
[20:30] - Hagar's Identity and Background
[22:05] - The Context of Hagar's Slavery
[23:01] - Abram and Sarai's Journey to Egypt
[25:51] - Sarai's Lack of Empathy for Hagar
[27:24] - Replicating Old Patterns with New People
[28:05] - Trauma and Its Influence on Our Behavior
[29:11] - God's Promise and Our Strategies
[29:49] - Hagar's Lack of Agency
[31:15] - Hagar's Response to Conception
[32:20] - Abram's Response and Hagar's Return to Slavery
[33:22] - Sarai's Harsh Treatment of Hagar
[33:58] - Hagar's Flight and Divine Encounter
[35:04] - The Angel's Questions to Hagar
[36:39] - God's Engagement with Us in Suffering
[37:10] - The Angel of the Lord: A Theophany
[38:12] - God's Command to Return and Submit
[39:57] - The Providence of Suffering
[41:36] - The Diversity of Pain and Suffering
[42:09] - Suffering and Our Vision of God
[44:47] - Eli Wiesel's Story and the Impact of Suffering
[45:17] - Interpreting God Through Suffering
[45:51] - Personal Story of Suffering and God's Sovereignty
[47:24] - Understanding God Through the Cross
[48:26] - The Redemptive Nature of Suffering
[49:33] - God's Love and the Power of the Cross
[50:48] - God's Promises to Hagar
[51:26] - Assurance and Promises for Hagar
[52:29] - God's Provision and Promises
[53:34] - The Meaning of Ishmael's Name
[54:43] - God's Awareness of Our Suffering
[55:28] - The Sound of Suffering
[55:59] - God's Response to Our Pain
[56:29] - God as a Living Being
[57:04] - The Warning in Ishmael's Name
[58:07] - Hagar's Response to God
[59:13] - The Dual Meaning of Elroy
[01:00:18] - God's Grace in Seeing and Being Seen
[01:00:59] - The Story of Joni Eareckson Tada
[01:02:16] - Suffering as a Splash Over of Hell
[01:03:21] - Finding Jesus in the Middle of Your Hell
[01:03:50] - The Story of Fanny Crosby
[01:04:50] - The Purpose of Suffering
[01:05:40] - A Call to Spiritual Maturity
[01:06:29] - The Hidden Nature of Worldliness
[01:07:06] - Accountability and Spiritual Growth
[01:08:16] - Knowing God Through His Word
[01:08:51] - The Creation and Fall of Man
[01:09:48] - The Deception of the Serpent
[01:10:49] - The Entry of Sin and Shame
[01:11:25] - The Compelling Nature of False Teachings
[01:11:59] - The Consequences of Sin
[01:12:31] - The Impact of Shame
[01:13:03] - The Nature of Sin and Our Need for Jesus
[01:13:36] - The Insufficiency of Our Efforts
[01:14:05] - The Need for Jesus as Our Mediator
[01:14:38] - The Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross
[01:15:07] - The Righteousness of God Through Faith
[01:15:37] - The Gospel's Power to Save and Sanctify
[01:16:12] - A Call to Repentance and Faith
[01:16:36] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Genesis 16:1-13
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Sarai's plan to address her inability to bear children, and how did Abram respond to it? ([04:50])
2. How did Hagar react after she conceived, and what was Sarai's response to Hagar's reaction? ([05:56])
3. Describe the encounter between Hagar and the angel of the Lord. What significant things were said during this encounter? ([06:51])
4. What name does Hagar give to the Lord after her encounter, and what does it signify? ([06:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Sarai's impatience reflect a common struggle in trusting God's timing? What are the consequences of her actions? ([16:53])
2. In what ways does the story of Hagar illustrate that God sees and hears us in our suffering? How does this change our understanding of God's nature? ([36:39])
3. How can suffering have a redemptive purpose according to the sermon? What examples from the sermon support this idea? ([49:33])
4. What does the name "Elroy" mean, and how does it encapsulate the message of the sermon? ([59:13])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt invisible or unheard in your suffering. How does knowing that God sees and hears you change your perspective on that experience? ([36:39])
2. Sarai's impatience led to a painful situation for everyone involved. Are there areas in your life where you are tempted to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting on God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in those areas? ([16:53])
3. The sermon mentioned that suffering can draw us closer to God and refine our character. Can you identify a period of suffering in your life that ultimately led to personal growth or a deeper relationship with God? ([49:33])
4. Hagar's story shows that God is intimately aware of our struggles. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and care during difficult times? ([36:39])
5. The sermon highlighted the unchanging nature of God, even in difficult circumstances. How can you anchor your faith in God's character rather than your fluctuating circumstances? ([14:24])
6. The story of Hagar and Sarai involves complex social and personal dynamics. How can you show empathy and understanding to those who are suffering around you, especially when their situations are complicated? ([27:24])
7. Reflect on the idea that suffering can be a "splash over of hell" that wakes us up spiritually. How can you find Jesus in the middle of your own "hell" or difficult situations? ([49:33])
Devotional
Day 1: God Sees and Hears Us in Our Suffering
In the story of Hagar from Genesis 16, we see a powerful example of God's attentiveness to our pain. Hagar, an Egyptian servant mistreated and used by Sarai, flees into the wilderness. There, she encounters the angel of the Lord, who addresses her by name and acknowledges her suffering. This divine encounter is significant because it is the first time Hagar is truly seen and heard. It reminds us that God is deeply aware of our afflictions and is present with us in our suffering. He sees us when we feel invisible and hears us when we feel unheard, assuring us that we are never alone. [36:39]
Genesis 16:13 (ESV): "So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, 'You are a God of seeing,' for she said, 'Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unseen or unheard in your suffering. How can you invite God into that memory and trust that He was present with you, seeing and hearing your pain?
Day 2: Impatience Can Lead to Painful Consequences
Sarai's decision to take matters into her own hands, rather than waiting on God's timing, resulted in a complex and painful situation for everyone involved. Her impatience and lack of trust in God's promises led her to use Hagar to bear a child, causing strife and suffering. This narrative teaches us the importance of trusting God's timing and His plans, even when they seem delayed. Acting out of impatience can lead to unintended and often painful consequences. We are reminded to wait faithfully and trust that God's timing is perfect. [16:53]
Psalm 37:7 (ESV): "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you are struggling with impatience. How can you practice being still before the Lord and trusting in His perfect timing today?
Day 3: God's Promises Are Fulfilled in His Timing
Despite Sarai's impatience, God's promise to Abram was still fulfilled. This reminds us that God's promises are sure and will come to pass in His perfect timing, not ours. Our role is to trust and wait faithfully, even when circumstances seem to contradict His promises. The story of Hagar and Sarai illustrates the tension between human impatience and divine timing, encouraging us to hold fast to God's promises and trust in His faithfulness. [15:05]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Reflect on a promise from God that you are waiting to see fulfilled. How can you strengthen your trust in His timing and remain faithful in the waiting?
Day 4: Suffering Can Be Redemptive
The narrative of Hagar and the broader biblical context show that suffering, while painful, can have a redemptive purpose. Hagar's suffering led her to a profound encounter with God, where she was seen and heard. Suffering can draw us closer to God, refine our character, and fulfill His greater purposes in our lives. It is through our pain that we often experience God's presence and grace most deeply, reminding us that He is actively involved in our lives, even in our darkest moments. [49:33]
2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison."
Reflection: Think about a time when you experienced suffering. How did that experience draw you closer to God or shape your character? How can you see God's redemptive work in your current struggles?
Day 5: God's Nature Is Unchanging
Even when circumstances are difficult and God's actions are hard to understand, His nature remains constant. He is always good, merciful, and loving. The story of Hagar reminds us that our understanding of God should be rooted in His revealed nature, not our fluctuating circumstances. God's unchanging nature provides a firm foundation for our faith, assuring us that He is always present and working for our good, even when we cannot see it. [14:24]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: In what ways have you seen God's unchanging nature in your life? How can you remind yourself of His constant goodness and mercy in times of uncertainty or difficulty?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Suffering is a part of life but there there are times when what we've been through becomes the model for how we behave. Lately, I've been wondering and processing this myself I've been wondering if I have so identified with my trauma that I've accidentally stopped identifying with Christ." [28:05] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God doesn't need your manipulation to move mountains. I know that worked when you were in the world but you don't need that in the kingdom. God doesn't even need your guard. Some of us have guards up because we think we are a better refuge than God. God doesn't need your guard to keep you from pain. All he requires is trust." [29:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The thing is, we can sing the songs. We can go to the conferences. We can do the devotionals. We can know Leviticus and Habakkuk. Don't nobody read Habakkuk. I don't even know how many chapters are in Habakkuk. But we can know God's name. And still doubt his nature." [19:40] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If God was the source of Sarai's hope, then she should have petitioned him light of the promise that he already made. The strategy Sarai puts into place is that she will turn her Egyptian servant into a concubine slash wife for Abram so that she can function as a surrogate mother, meaning the child produced from Hagar and Abram's union would legally be Sarai's child." [20:30] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "God doesn't need your manipulation to move mountains. I know that worked when you were in the world but you don't need that in the kingdom. God doesn't even need your guard. Some of us have guards up because we think we are a better refuge than God. God doesn't need your guard to keep you from pain. All he requires is trust." [29:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Suffering either sanctifies or suffering either pulls people in a direction where they want the world because that suffering seems easier. And so I want to talk through a text. It's a text that involves this concept of suffering, but exalts the presence and the purposes of God in the midst of it." [01:26] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The nature of God, as revealed in the name of God, informs the restrictions of God. I'll say it again. The nature of God. As revealed in the name of God, informs the restrictions of God. Meaning, God's name explains his no. If the Lord says no. If the Lord says not yet. If the Lord says keep waiting. If the Lord says maybe later. Even if it doesn't make sense. His name has not changed. Neither has his nature." [15:05] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Suffering created a lens for Eli that changed the way he viewed God the intensity of his pain made him a man that to the day of his death he did not believe that God existed and I think suffering in different degrees does the same thing for us it becomes the way we interpret God our suffering becomes a hermeneutical tool where we interpret God through what we've been through instead of what Jesus has revealed." [45:17] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God providentially allows us to suffer I'm not ignorant to the diversity of pain in this room a room of women guarantees that there will be people who have suffered women who have been abandoned by people they love women who have been sexually verbally and emotionally abused women who have miscarried once or more than once women who have had abortions and women who are thinking about one women who carry so much shame from the decisions that they've made women who have been diagnosed with cancer and women who will be who will one day receive a diagnosis that God may heal or God may not I say that because I know that you know suffering but in this moment my primary concern is not the universal experience of suffering my primary concern is how your vision of God is being affected by it." [42:09] (72 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The thing that makes Genesis 16 make sense I ain't telling Hagar to do nothing that he wasn't going to come and do himself anybody understands what it's like to submit to suffering Jesus does." [50:48] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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