Author: astherainandsnow

“In the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, these kings made war with Bera king of Sodom, Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela. And all these joined forces in the Valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled. In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came…

“Then the king[s] of Sodom,.. Gomorrah,.. Admah,.. Zeboiim,.. and… Bela went out, and they joined battle in the Valley of Siddim with Chedorlaomer.., Tidal.., Amraphel.., and Arioch.., four kings against five. Now the Valley of Siddim was full of bitumen pits, and as the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into them, and the rest fled to the hill country. So the enemy took all the possessions of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their provisions,.. also Lot, the son of Abram’s brother, who was dwelling in Sodom, and his possessions, and went their way.

“One who had escaped came and told Abram… When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people...

“Melchizedek king of Salem… blessed him and said,

‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Possessor of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High,
    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!’” Genesis 14:1-5,8-16,18-20

“Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.'” 2 Chronicles 20:15

The nomad herdsman Abram was discovering the swagger of power and alliances in this promised land of tightly held territories. His growing faith taught him to be prepared for conflict, so a small band among his growing household was trained for battle. Insignificant and weak as they must have appeared in the eyes of these arrogant kings, his determined army applied their strategy and stealthily defeated the armies of five kings, securing back their kinsmen and belongings. God had readied them and brought victory.

Friction, greed, and opposing pride make for heated, dangerous war. War between factions, ideologies, people groups, nations. War in our flesh cravings, impulses, fears. Threats and antagonism without and within are part of life in this fallen world, and regardless of our desire for peace, we must be prepared for the fight. Are we trained, equipped, ready? Are we aware of the enemy’s tactics, and smart enough to strategize?

The Lord blesses us by supplying us with spiritual armor for battle, even when we know not what is coming. He does. His Spirit in us is greater than the enemy spirit in the world. He ordains conflict to train us to trust Him to win, and He receives the glory. (Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 John 4:4)

Most High, keep me trained, ready, and vigilant. May I trust and exalt You for every victory.

“And so it was that all were brought safely to land. After we were brought through, we learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.’ He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

“Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.” Acts 27:44-28:9

A ship full of soldiers and prisoners wrecking just offshore would understandably cause the islanders caution and suspicion. In their heathen minds, Paul morphed within moments from being a threat to becoming a god, but he would have no part in being worshipped. The missionary-held-prisoner quickly redirected them from superstition to true revelation by praying for them and healing their infirmities. His heart beat with a gospel thump, and his signs pointed to the spiritual work of Jesus. (John 20:30-31)

Our world offers a daily plethora of messages and supposed revelations: breaking news, new discoveries, uncovered plots and conspiracies. In the flesh we are attracted to and titillated by the spectacular. When we observe with a snake-bit lens, we may try to read our suspicions or desires into every occurrence. We can slip into worship of the created over the Creator, of acting on feelings over facts, and spiral insidiously into false beliefs and allegiances. When we perceive with the mind of Christ, intent on seeing as He sees, the lens of biblical truth will reveal doctrine, and the character and ways of God. It’s important to surrender preconceptions, to set aside what we want to see and hear, in order to grasp God’s consistent truth, wisdom, and deeper meaning from events and messages. (Romans 1:18-28)

When our emotions get swept into frenzied devotion, disordered affection, or crowd-think, would we reset our plumb, and align our thinking with the Bible? Would we take time to consider more carefully what is happening around us in order to discern deeper lessons, and the movement and intention of God’s divine hand?

Father, guard my heart from growing dull to Your word. Please give me ears that hear and eyes that see You through the buzz and magic of the world. Grant me spiritual understanding and wholehearted embracing of all You offer, and are. (Acts 28:27)

“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison.., but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me..,‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?..’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you… I am sending you [to the Gentiles] to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

“Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared… in Damascus, Jerusalem and all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.” Acts 26:9-14a,15-16,17b-20

Paul’s story is dramatic, a colorful scene in a spiritual thriller. An enemy of Christ, alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, Paul was drastically changed and reconciled to Jesus. God intervened to deliver him from the domain of darkness by opening his eyes and transferring him to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom all who believe have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Opened eyes lead to a flurry of life transformation: darkness to light, power of Satan to God, condemnation to forgiveness, separation and desolation to belonging. Opened eyes recognize what the Lord has done, and look for what He will do. (Acts 9:1-9,17-19; Romans 5:10; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 1:13-14,21-22)

Indeed, his saving was spectacular, but Paul’s call to mission was not unlike that to all believers. All whose spiritual eyes have been opened, like Paul have seen Him, and are servants and witnesses to His power and work. Enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we are charged to bring the light of truth to others. Our place and opportunities and methods to ‘make disciples’ will differ, but we are all instruments in God’s skilled hands to open eyes. (Isaiah 42:6-7; 49:1-3,5-6; Matthew 28:19-20)

What are we doing to watch keenly for God, so we actively add to our storehouse of His deeds? What of His faithfulness, His grace and mercy, His holiness, His love, has He showed us personally? Are we daily looking into His word to see His ways, and His glory? (Exodus 33:13-19; Psalm 119:18)

And what is He revealing to us about the needs of others, our nation, our world? How might He use us to open eyes?

Lord, help me see You, and others through You. Use me to open eyes so more can behold Your worth.

“Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” Acts 18:24-28

Apollos was a gem of a man: gifted, winsome, conscientious, and generous in conveying the good news of Jesus. But even he had a ways to grow, and in God’s good providence, he was helped along by his spiritual siblings. Priscilla and Aquila wanted him to be his best and most effective, and sensitively but directly taught him about the Holy Spirit. Others gave encouragement, and he in turn had much to offer those he visited. How sweet it is when the Lord provides brothers and sisters to walk the path of righteousness and ministry alongside us.

Making new disciples, and discipling disciples, both enrich the church of Christ. Even those who are hungry, eager, and capable need instruction and edification. We are all being sanctified by the Spirit and need iron sharpening iron in our daily lives, real people who will challenge, speak truth, and upbuild. (Proverbs 27:17)

Who in our lives confronts our wrong thinking and misdirected energies? Who walks beside to warn of tendencies that could cause stumbling, or point out blind spots? Have we sought out, or opened ourselves to, those who will help us grow in Christ’s likeness, even if it stings? Do we hide away in a self-made superiority bubble above everyone else, or will we humble ourselves enough to ask for honest refinement and chastening? How willing are we to listen to opposing views, and consider that we might actually be wrong? (Luke 18:9-14; 2 Timothy 2:24-26)

And in whom are we investing? We are commanded to encourage one another, to spur one another on to love and good deeds, to help the weak and share good things with those who teach us. What makes us reluctant to do our part? Are we too comfy to be bothered? Do we hide smugness behind false humility, and neglect our call as Christian brothers and sisters? (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 10:24-25)

When we make ourselves available to be both chiseled and used by God, He will give opportunities. He uses other people as a mirror to reveal sin tendencies in us, and us as a spotlight to expose error in them. God faithfully, skillfully, and graciously sanctifies us through the give and take of mutual edification. We grow by both giving and receiving, we learn by both teaching and being taught. (Romans 14:19)

Good Father, keep me hungering to be helped and a helper. Employ me as Your instrument of holiness, and apply those instruments to me. May my life reflect Your grace and Your graces in abundance, for the building up of Your church and exaltation of Your name.

“Abraham was old,.. [and] said to his servant, the oldest of his household, who had charge of all that he had,.. ‘ I make you swear by the Lord… that you will… go to my country and to my kindred, and take a wife for my son Isaac.’..  The Lord… will send his angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there...’  

“Then the servant… went to Mesopotamia… And he said, ‘O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham… I am standing by the spring…  Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.’

“Before he had finished speaking, Rebekah,.. came out with her water jar,.. went down to the spring and filled her jar and came up. The servant ran to meet her and said, ‘Please give me a little water.’  She said, ‘Drink, my lord… I will draw water for your camels also…’  The man gazed at her in silence to learn whether the Lord had prospered his journey or not.

“‘Please tell me whose daughter you are…’  She said, ‘I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor…’  The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord.., ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. The Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen…’ The man came to the house and… said, ‘I will not eat until I have said what I have to say.'” Genesis 24:1-4,7,10,12-19,21,23-24,26-27,32-33

Intrigue, adventure, and the prospect of romance color each step of the servant’s assignment, expectation, and unfolding answer. On tiptoe to see what will come next, we cannot help but smile at the loving resolution God orchestrates. From the start, this was His gig. Abraham’s servant, serious with confident faith, credited the Lord over and over (to Rebekah, Laban and Bethuel, and Isaac), keeping Him at center stage. God is the named, exalted, and worshiped protagonist, the unnamed servant (likely Eliezer) merely a supporting character. So passionate and clear was his telling that all the others recognized God’s superintendence of events and embraced His providential plan. (Genesis 15:1-4; 24:29-67)

It is almost as though the servant said, ‘please don’t include my name, this story is all about the Lord.’ Do we even consider how God’s hand traces and His purposes unfold in our life events? When we recount our accomplishments, of whom do we make much? It takes deliberation and devotion to yield ourselves to proving His will, not enforcing our own, and to exalt His name, not ours. (Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 10:17; Galatians 6:14)

What humility, what confession, what heart reorientation or changed mindset will it take for us to hide behind Jesus? What steps can we take to move from ‘all about me’ to ‘all about Him’?

My LORD, may You who are worthy be You who are noticed and applauded in my life. May all see You as my source, goal, and glory.

“[Paul] entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks… So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily...

“I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ... But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God… I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 19:8-10,20; 20:20-21,24,27

There is a time for teaching in the church, and a time for teaching in the marketplace. Paul’s passion for the gospel compelled him, wherever he was, to engage the curious, speak boldly, and introduce people to Jesus. The tentmaker and missionary worked hard and made himself available to present, debate, and reason about the truths of scripture. Schedules and opposition were no restraint for God’s spokesman. He was on His heavenly timetable, and reasoned with the discernment and words of his Savior. (Acts 20:6-7)

God certainly enables and uses our preplanned times of ministry, prepared teaching or supplying of the specified needs. But there is also an element of availability and spontaneity that He builds into our days that has its own spiritual, eternal effect. His word spreads in and through us who are open to being used as conduits in both formal and informal settings. And His word prevails everywhere there are broken people in need of Christ, bringing genuine change, freedom, and life.

How willing am I to reason in the hall? Do I so structure my hours that I will not budge from my agenda, or consider a new venue for service, or entertain any change to routine or ‘comfortable’? Instead, would I daily seek discernment to know where it is God would use me, who it is He wants me to reach and touch and testify to for His sake? The key is counting my life as His, and staying in tune to His pushes and pulls. When yielded to Him and His goals for my life, I respond to every chafe and reordering with willing determination, not resistance.

Where is the Lord calling us that is new, and different, to speak for Him? How willing are we to leave our cozy huddles and enter the halls of those with whom we do not agree, or have much in common? Would we open ourselves to His directing our course, that His word would increase in our culture and world?

Lord, may I decrease and You increase, in my home places and in the halls You call me to go. May Your word prevail and have its way. (John 3:30)

“As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’ Those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice… I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do.’ And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.

“And Ananias, a devout man.., well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, came to me, and standing by me said ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight… The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” Acts 22:6-16

When God called Paul out of his zealous stupor, He told him only his next step. His transformation of Paul’s heart and life direction began with Paul’s response in a step single step of blind faith. Once he would rise and go to Damascus, Ananias would reveal the next step. He announced God’s calling for him, with no specifics except that he would know His will and hear His voice and testify to what he had seen and heard. Paul did not at this time know the tremendous persecution and suffering he would endure. He did not know the names of those who would believe in Jesus and turn the world upside down. But he responded in desire to know and obey this Lord who called him, and learned to call on His name. (Acts 9:1-9,15-16; 17:6; 22:22-25; 2 Corinthians 11:24-28).

Our Lord promises to lead us as we trust Him, and there are times when He has a new path for us altogether. He knows the direction, the difficulties, the destination. He knows the facets of our character He intends to refine, and those of His He will magnify. He has His reasonings and His ends, and will supply for us along the way and achieve His every purpose. (Genesis 12:1-3; Psalm 32:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

When the unknown of a diagnosis, a job change, a life pause, or emotional rut cause anxiety, when confusion clouds our plans or the future looks bleak, would we trust Him with our next step? His word is true, His plans are good, His presence is guaranteed. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

“When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you the deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you. I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.” ~George Keith (1787)

Author and Perfecter of my life and faith, may I walk step by step with, and for, You. (Hebrews 12:2)

“Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.  And Abraham sojourned many days in the land of the Philistines.” Genesis 21:33-34

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

“Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.” 40:28

For Abraham, a new father to his promised heir Isaac at 100, and still exploring his new land, a treaty, conflict, and resolution with Abimelech punctuated the long unknown before him. Planting a tree to mark the juncture, at that point in the temporal, he called on his Eternal, acknowledging His providence and in trust for the way forward.

Everlasting is other worldly. Everlasting seems inconsistent with clocks, calendars, and schedules. It is an oxymoron with tenures and life spans and run rates. But everlasting is our God, El Olam, and His eternal existence makes a lasting difference in ours.

From everlasting to everlasting, God is. From everlasting to everlasting, He knows all that has taken place, is occurring, and will transpire. From everlasting past He knew us by name and the number of our days, is now intimately acquainted with all our ways, and will be our heavenly Ruler forever. From everlasting, He has planned what He is now and into the future accomplishing. He is, He knows, He does, He will keep on. (Psalm 139:1-6,13-17; Isaiah 46:9-11; Revelation 21:3-7,22-25)

So if tempted to fret or fear, would we not instead trust our Everlasting God? When we are confused, or weary with suffering or longing or waiting, would we cling to our Everlasting Father? At times when we see no fruit, no finish, will we count on the Everlasting King to complete His work at last? When we hurt at the scrape and sting of discipline, will we hope in the certain prospect of glory? (Deuteronomy 33:27; 2 Corinthians 3:18;4:17; Hebrews 12:10-11)

What difference could it make if we began each day worshiping and savoring our Everlasting God? How might our attitudes, our perspective, our speech, our industry, the way we plan our time and treat other people, be transformed when imprinted with everlasting?

“Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; 
Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; 
Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; 
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.” ~C.T.Studd (1860-1931)

Father, please infiltrate and mark my everything by Your everlasting. Give me an eternal perspective that sees and endeavors in all Your unstoppable, forever glory. May I live in hope of eternity, when I will sing Your everlasting praise!

“The Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him… Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me…’

“Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near and said, ‘Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked!.. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?’ And the Lord said, ‘If I find at Sodom fifty righteous, I will spare the whole place for their sake.’

“Abraham answered and said, ‘Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?’ And he said, ‘I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.’ Again he spoke to him and said, ‘Suppose forty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of forty I will not do it.’ Then he said, ‘Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.’ He answered, ‘I will not do it, if I find thirty there.’ He said, ‘Suppose twenty are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.’ Then he said, ‘Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.’ And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.” Genesis 18:17-33

God had special plans for Abraham, and decided to confide in him about His judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah to put on full display His holy character and ways. Abraham drew near, and with each give and take, their conversation taught Abraham a little more about God’s holiness, long-suffering, mercy, patience, and love for this father of the nation of Israel. Familiarity and intimacy unfold and flower with each new request, each gentle answer.

God ordains heart-rending situations to take us deeper with Him. He knows the plans He has for us, and what will be required in days and years to come. He knows what we need to learn about Him, about choices and consequences, tough love, and persevering in prayer until He is finished speaking. He invites us to approach His throne in conversation and need, and converses with us, His friends. (Jeremiah 29:11; John 15:15; Hebrews 4:16)

In life’s conundrums, do we shrink back helplessly, cower in panic, or draw near to God in confidence? What has He revealed that beckons us closer in trust?

Lord, may Your sharing confidences with me help me grow more confident in Your goodness, mercy, and love.

“Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘The Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.’ And Abram listened to Sarai. So, after Abram had lived ten years in the land of Canaan, Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar and gave her to Abram her husband as a wife. And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived. And when she saw that she had conceived, she looked with contempt on her mistress. And Sarai said to Abram, ‘May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!’ But Abram said to Sarai, ‘Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.’ Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her.

“The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness… ‘Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?’ She said, ‘I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.’ The angel of the Lord said, ‘Return to your mistress and submit to her..,

‘Behold, you are pregnant
    and shall bear a son.
You shall call his name Ishmael,
    because the Lord has listened to your affliction…’

“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 16:1-11,13

What a mess. Impatience, pride, finagling, infidelity, jealousy, cruelty, blaming, misunderstanding, mistreatment, fear. Enter God. The God who sees it all sees after those in the fray. He watches every bit of the ugliness, and loves, pursues, redeems. This One whose eyes go to and fro in the earth searching out His own, and who sets His eye upon His children for good, is the omniscient and compassionate El Roi. He is the all-seeing Father with eyes fixed on His beloved children who have strayed, to see them home. (2 Chronicles 16:9; Psalm 33:18; Luke 15:20; 1 Peter 3:12)

It would grieve God to watch His chosen first couple of Israel risk their promised progeny. He would wince at their foolish planning and sexual misconduct, and the horrendous fallout afterwards. He sees our every grief and sin and sorrow, but He does not turn His back. He goes after the hurting, the wrong, and the wronged, and beckons us return.

This God who sees after us does not want us turning our backs on brokenness, but facing it with faith, and with the balm of Christ, seeing after repentance, healing, comfort, resolution, and redemption. Our Lord looks on our pain, our angst, our difficulties, and sees us through for our good and His glory. Will we look to Him and trust His care?

What ugliness has reared its ugly head in my spirit, my habits, my default reactions? Do I see clearly how rudely or selfishly I treat others, how casually or flippantly I treat my King? Once recognized, would I see after coming to the cross for cleansing?

Lord, help me see myself and others as You see, and like You, faithfully see after all You ask, for Your honor.