Lies I Believe Part 4: God Doesn't Like MeSýnishorn

Reflection:

The LIE is that you’re not worthy to be loved, that God doesn’t even like you. And behind that lie is the “evidence” that the enemy of your heart holds up as proof. But the TRUTH reveals both the lie and the evidence to be false. Let’s examine a life that resisted the lie with truth.

In the culture and society where she lived, Hagar’s life wasn’t worth much. She was a foreigner and a servant. She did what as she was told and, which in this case, that was to conceive a child for her master and mistress. Not because she was special, but because she was available. Abraham and Sarah also wanted to rush God’s promise along. Their disobedience to God had far-reaching consequences for themselves, for the children, and for Hagar.

It was culturally acceptable for Hagar to be used and abused by those in a position of power over her, and then to be sent away, not once but twice, into the wilderness. Rejected. Abandoned. Hopeless.

But God saw Hagar. God spoke to Hagar. God cared for Hagar. God loved her and her son. God redirected her eyes from her worthlessness to her worth— a daughter of God. It did not matter what others saw and believed. EL ROI, the God who sees, met her in her pain and provided hope for her future.

Ask Yourself:

-Who has hurt me so badly that I feel unworthy of anyone’s attention or care?

-What does Hagar’s story teach me about EL ROI, the God who sees me?

Pause to Pray:

God, I believe You see me in all my pain and struggle, in my darkness and filth. Please lift my eyes to see Your love for me.

Take a Next Step:

Is there someone in your life who's experiencing pain, rejection, heartache? How can you extend God’s love to them today and make them feel seen?