A Quiet Time Guide in Celebration of International Women’s Day
Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the one who sees me?” Genesis 16:13 NLT
I see you. Three simple words often used today to mean recognizing someone’s strength or accomplishment or understanding where a person is coming from. Imagine God saying that - I see you. I’m proud of you. I understand what you’re going through.
Powerful, right? We all want to be seen and heard. One description of God is El Roi, the God who sees. We will be studying this topic together as we celebrate International Women's Day. Our hope is that these scriptures, thoughts and questions fuel your relationship with God. Enjoy this guide as we celebrate seeing and hearing from God and also being seen and heard by God and others.
For links to the whole series, see https://www.womentoday.international/2023-international-womens-day
Seeing God
Julienne LaFrance, Portland, Maine, USA
Take a moment to be quiet with God, pray that he opens your eyes as you read this morning. Begin by reading Exodus 33:12-14
Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, ‘I know you by name and you have found favor with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people.”
The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
How wonderful is it that the God who sees us can be seen by us and wants to be seen by us too! He is not a mere distant, faceless observer, detached and aloof. He doesn’t simply watch us from His seat on high. He cares deeply about us - and one way He displays His love is in opening Himself up for reciprocal intimacy. He shows over and over again that He desires to be seen and heard and truly to be known by us.
“She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her:
‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said,
‘I have now seen the One who sees me.’” Genesis 16:13
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Hagar may have been aware that there was a God watching her. What she likely never could have imagined was that at her lowest point, He would seek her out - but He did! He found her near a spring and comforted her.
Reflect on these questions:
- Do you believe it is possible for you to see God? What makes that easy or hard for you to imagine?
- How can you prepare yourself to see God?
The Bible tells us that faith is being confident in what we cannot see. That kind of confidence comes from honesty and intimacy with God. Take some time to pray today, to be truly alone and talk with him about wanting to see more of Him, the limitations you feel, and the hopes that you have. He is with us.
21 Comments
Mar 9, 2023, 2:43:30 PM
Lisa P - Thank you Julienne for the reminder that God is with us! I really appreciate these thoughts.
Mar 9, 2023, 9:46:38 AM
Irene Gifford - Thanks Julienne. Praying to see God more. I appreciate your thoughts.
Mar 9, 2023, 7:48:26 AM
Susan E Graziano - Thank you
Mar 9, 2023, 7:48:10 AM
Susan E Graziano - Thank you! I'm excited to begin the series
Mar 8, 2023, 11:35:52 PM
Heidi - Thank you!
Mar 8, 2023, 11:08:39 PM
OLADIPO MODUPEOLA - PLEASE SEND THE QUIET TIMES DAILY TO ME
Mar 8, 2023, 10:04:49 PM
Cindy Nelson - I believe!
Mar 8, 2023, 4:13:01 PM
Mary - From ICOC Melbourne Australia This is great and empowering🇦🇺
Mar 8, 2023, 10:51:16 AM
Fornessa - Seeing God allows me to see everything else in a new and different way. It makes me feel special to know that God wants to reveal himself over and over again. Thanks
Mar 8, 2023, 10:14:11 AM
Lisa Hetherington - Thank you very much. Starting the series tomorrow.
Mar 8, 2023, 8:55:02 AM
Kathy - GM Julienne. Thank you so very much for the encouragement this day. As I read your post I cried because as I looked back over my life until today and I am 70, I truly can see how God has been by my side. All the times He saved my life. He heard me when I sat in the little family church and experienced the most deepest earnings to really know HIM. Right after that experience, my spiritual mother reached out to me. He has been carrying me for the last 29+ years. I love the LORD.
Mar 8, 2023, 8:20:08 AM
Susan Frank - Thank you!
Mar 8, 2023, 8:14:47 AM
Kim - Love it, thank you!
Mar 8, 2023, 7:51:59 AM
Jackie Sumerlin - Our God is so good! Thank you. May God’s face shine on you.
Mar 7, 2023, 8:12:06 AM
Silvia Reus - Thank you Julienne for reminding us how precious our intimacy with God is. How vulnerable He is by letting us see Him, and know Him. By letting us know that He cares about us.
Mar 3, 2023, 5:31:34 AM
Tarcher - Thank you for helping to feed my spirit today
Mar 1, 2023, 4:18:05 PM
Cheryl Carmichael - Amen
Mar 1, 2023, 9:48:58 AM
Laura P. - ✨✨✨ Appreciate your heart and always sharing your wisdom from God✨✨✨
Mar 1, 2023, 7:56:21 AM
Tomi - The LORD who sees us! Amen
Mar 1, 2023, 6:01:27 AM
Diana Samuel - I would love to do the series
Mar 1, 2023, 5:45:33 AM
Nena knights west - Gm sis, Thank you for sharing.Very beautiful uplifting encouraging.I pray continued blessings upon you life and that of your family also. May God continue to inspire you as you encourage us thru these pages. ❤️ 🙏 🫂