Ever since I read the story of Hagar in the Old Testament, it has become one of my favorite Bible stories for comfort, reassurance, and thanksgiving. The story goes like this: Hagar was given to Abram as a wife because Sarai was barren. Shortly after, Hagar conceived and became pregnant. As an Egyptian slave with no rights, Hagar found herself in a difficult position when Sarai saw that she was with child, and resentment began to brew. Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she eventually fled, finding herself stranded in the wilderness—defenseless and utterly alone, except for the unborn child growing inside her (Genesis 16:1-6).

Can you imagine her dire situation? The Bible doesn’t mention her taking any food or water with her. She left in such haste that, in the desert, she could have easily died from thirst or starvation—whichever came first. But before she collapsed under the strain, the angel of the Lord found Hagar and spoke to her. They actually had a dialogue, and afterward, Hagar was both refreshed and strengthened. This supernatural encounter led Hagar to ascribe a beautiful name to God: El Roi—The God Who Sees (in Hebrew).

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” (Genesis 16:13).

We may not face the exact challenges Hagar did, but we all encounter situations that leave us feeling desperate and alone. Have you ever wondered, “Does anyone really see what I’m going through? Does anyone care?” Or perhaps you’ve questioned whether God hears you when you cry out to Him in your darkest moments. The answer, as it was for Hagar, is a resounding yes! God sees you. He is El Roi.

Just yesterday, I had a frightening experience that reminded me of this truth. I live in a high-rise building, and as usual, I took the elevator from my apartment on the 31st floor down to the basement parking garage. As soon as the doors closed, the elevator suddenly plunged from the 31st floor to the 28th. Thankfully, it stopped there, but the elevator wasn’t stable—it rocked unsteadily before continuing its descent at a normal speed. I crouched down, gripping the handrail tightly, terrified that it might plummet again. When I finally reached the basement, I stepped out, my legs shaking from fear. Once I had calmed down, I immediately thanked God. I believe that in those terrifying moments, God was with me, protecting me from harm. I stand confidently knowing that God is near to me on a daily basis.

El Roi is not just a name; it’s a promise. God says, “I see you. I’m right here with you through every high and low.” If you’ve ever felt abused, mistreated, or in a crossroad, let this be your moment to discover the profound truth about El Roi—the God who sees you, loves you, and never lets you out of His sight. He is not a distant deity; He knows you by name and cares deeply for you, like a shepherd who watches over His flock, ensuring they are safe and well.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we can be confident that God holds tomorrow in His hands. Nothing surprises Him—He is omniscient and sovereign. Remember that you are never alone. El Roi is with you, seeing and caring for your every need.

Have you ever had an El Roi moment? Many times, I struggle to recall clearly all the miracles, signs, and wonders the Lord has done in my life and the lives of my loved ones. That’s why I’ve used this platform to record all the goodness of God and His faithfulness toward me. I encourage you to start writing down your El Roi experiences in a notebook or diary. God is living and eternal—let your testimony declare the works of God to all those around you!

“What seems overwhelming now will be your testimony later.”

– Unknown