El Roi: The God Who Sees and Redeems Our Mistakes

The Temptation to Fix Everything

Ever heard “Don’t put the cart before the horse” or “slow and steady wins the race?” Boy, is it hard sometimes to heed that advice. As a pastor’s wife, mom, teacher, counselor and just lady in general, my method of operation is to be a fixer. Let me solve your problem. How can I help? In my younger years, it was more like “Move over and get out of my way. I am bulldozing through to be the savior of everyone’s problems.” However, with age and maturity (hopefully), I would like to say that I have learned some hard-knock lessons about not getting ahead of God. 

Sarai’s Attempt to Fulfill God’s Promise

 I have always been fascinated by Hagar’s story in Genesis 16 probably because I can relate to the main characters in the story who “put the cart before the horse” to fix their issues rather than waiting on God. The promise came in Genesis 15 when God told Abram that He would give him a child and that his offspring would be as numerous as the stars. In chapter 16, when that promise was not fulfilled after 10 years, Sarai began to grow anxious and started to become the fixer. 

 I’m guessing there was no prayer or no consultation with wise mentors, but only a rush to receive a solution, a delivery of a promise made a decade earlier. Sarai encouraged Abram to sleep with her maidservant, Hagar, to produce the “promised one.” Sarai, what were you thinking? As a result of her behavior and poor decision making, she now experiences jealousy, insecurity and rage at the birth of Ishmael instead of peace, security and trust.  

When We Get Ahead of God

But before we judge Sarai too harshly, let’s pause. Haven’t we all been there? Let’s be clear…Never have I ever encouraged my husband to break our marriage covenant to produce an heir to the kingdom! But I sure have pursued a job without asking God’s direction first. I have entered a relationship in my teenage years trying to find the right lifelong mate without seeking the face of God or without listening to godly counsel. I have even stuck my nose in the middle of a dispute amongst friends trying to bring peace yet creating more chaos instead of asking the Master of Peace to take over the situation. 

The Cost of Impatience

 Getting ahead of God. Not discerning the moment. Wanting the result yet despising the process. Making poor decisions without weighing the cost or seeking the perfect will of God.  

Hagar’s Journey Into the Wilderness

Notice that even Hagar gets ahead of God and finds herself in the desert instead of where she was called to be despite her difficult circumstances. Surely running into the wilderness with no way to sustain her life was not thought through or planned out.  

The Angel of the Lord comes to her and admonishes her to go back to the situation. Was an escape to a dry, desolate desert really the solution to her problem? I am sure in her haste that it probably seemed so. 

 However, when we try to solve the problem or choose to run away from it, then there are always negative consequences we must endure.  

El Roi: The God Who Sees

Hagar realized in that moment that she was seen, heard and noticed by El Roi, the “God who sees.” Her circumstance did not drastically change when she returned to Abram and Sarai, but she was taken care of and provided for, and God was able to use her obedience after her moment of impatience to bless a nation with Ishmael’s birth. Even when God chose to give the promised blessing to Isaac, Abram and Sarai’s child, God still protected and took care of Hagar and Ishmael. What a mess! Sounds like a modern-day soap opera.  

God’s Grace in Our Messes

I can’t help but believe that this story was included in the annals of time to show the mercy and grace of God even when we mess up and try to fix things ourselves.

Trusting the Process

I am still learning to be patient and to trust the process. God has a proven track record in my life. Why would I not trust him? If you have rushed ahead of God and made a mistake that you felt like was not redeemable, take encouragement from Genesis 16. There may be consequences of our actions, but God can still redeem our story. Continue walking forward and doing the next right thing.  

Rest Assured, God Sees You

Rest assured that El Roi sees you, hears you, and truly has your best interest at heart. 

Blessings, Julie Ely 

Keywords to Remember from Today’s Blog:

• El Roi the God Who Sees

• Trusting God’s Timing

• Waiting on God

• God Sees You

• God’s Grace

• Hagar’s Story

• Genesis 16

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