When Dena Dyer thinks of her favorite women in the Bible, her mind doesn’t go to royal Esther or successful Lydia. Instead, she thinks of Hagar, the slave woman who feared she may die pregnant and alone in the wilderness.
“Hagar’s desperation was met with God’s presence and sustenance,” writes Dyer in her recent piece for CT. “She saw her Creator for who He was, becoming the only biblical woman to give God a name: ‘El Roi’ (the God who sees me).”
Dyer has suffered from the effects of two autoimmune diseases for 30 years and has a son with chronic pain. She understands what it’s like to suffer, to feel utterly exhausted, and to wonder if God sees her pain. But, Dyer says, the story of Hagar reminds her that God not only sees, but he will set all things right in his time.
“‘El Roi’ filled Hagar and her son with physical water, meeting their immediate needs,” Dyer writes. “Then, He protected them and guided them, meeting their long-term needs.”
One day, God will meet our long-term needs for peace, belonging, and safety in the kingdom to come. Until that day comes, may we trust that we worship a God who sees, cares, and surrounds us in every moment.
