Serving the World through the Study of Scripture!
El Roi (The God who Sees Me), Psalm 139, and Hiding from God
Freelance writer/Speaker
Of all the names of God, El Roi (EL-Raw-Hee) is one that can have a positive and negative application—not on God's part, but ours. Reason being, this Hebrew name for God translates to " The God who sees me ".
I have a personal story that I hope will illustrate how this particular name for God is a double-edged sword.
~~~~~
When I was in the fifth grade, I had a brilliant plan. I decided I was going to ditch school and stay home. My plan was to make popcorn, eat all the junk that I could find in the house, and watch my favorite soap operas. I was going to have the house and the T.V. all to myself with no one to interrupt my perfect day at home. (While all the other pour souls were at school.)
We all left for the day as usual, but once each of us went our separate ways, I ran back to the house. I walked through the door with a smirk that had pride written all over it as I had succeeded in this great plan of mine.
All was going great! That is until I heard the door slam shut. " No, it couldn't be " . Yes, it was my mom! " What in the heck is she doing home? " She totally ruined my plan - what was I going to do? I ran around the house like a crazy person looking for somewhere to hide. The shower, I will hide in the shower! I climbed in and there I sat – all day long!
Meanwhile, my mom was doing her thing – listening to music, cleaning, whatever. As I sat there I was thinking, this is great. How fun is this? Nevertheless, the worst part about all of this is that every time she came remotely close to the bathroom my heart began to beat faster. I was so afraid she was going to find me. Not long after this, it didn't matter to me whether or not she was close to the bathroom. The fact was she was in the house period. Just feeling her presence was enough to drive me crazy. Still I sat, wishing I were at school with all those other pour souls. At school, I would at least get recess!
I don't know how many hours went by when I finally realized I wasn't having any fun – it was certainly not worth it anymore. I couldn't take sitting in the dark bathroom hiding behind those shower doors anymore.
I went from feeling like a master planner to a humbled little girl who felt as stupid as the plan she made. What was I to do? I could have sat there into the night and waited until someone unknowingly turned on the water expecting to shower but then I would have been a wet, stupid little girl. On the other hand, I could muster up the courage to come out of the shower and confess.
And so I did. I stood up and said " I'll take it like a man! Whatever happens from here, it's got to be better than sitting on the cold, hard, shower floor! "
She was in the kitchen; naturally I startled her. Staring down at the floor, I told her all about my plan (except for the part about how mad I was at her for ruining everything). I will never forget her response. She laughed. Yes, that's right, she actually laughed at me! She told me that sitting in the shower all day was punishment enough. We talked it through and she told me that I should just tell her if I ever felt like I needed a day at home. In the right timing and circumstances she would work it out and I wouldn't have to do anything wrong to get what I wanted or needed. Then I really felt dumb. What a concept, just ask.
~~~~~
The memory of this story brings me to Psalm 139:1-12. Let's read it together:
" O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, but behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I run from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say 'surely the darkness shall fall on me,' Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day: The darkness and the light are both alike to You "
The Creator God sees it all. He is EL Roi (El-RAW-HEE, the God who sees me.)
This is great news for the one who has given themselves over to Christ completely. God's very name means He is always watching over us. However, for the one who is still hiding from God, this can be dreadful and uncomfortable. The truth is, we cannot hide anything from God. He sees the deepest darkest things of our heart. Still, He desires to free us and He loves us in spite of it all.
SOMETHING TO CONSIDER
There is a third place to be in all of this, and that is even as a child of God, we can drift away and forget that Jesus is still Master over our lives. Being a Christian for over 20 years now, I can look back and see the times where I was doing my own thing; not reading or praying as fervently, and sadly sometimes just going through the motions--cruise control if you will. Thankfully, because He is El Roi, He pushes the off button, and suddenly He has my attention! I'm sure you could fill in the blanks with this one....
So how are your plans coming along? Do you feel God's presence? Do you hear Him calling you out of your hiding place?
Answer the call - His plans for us are far better than any we can come up with on our own. Most Importantly, His plan won't send us running to find a hiding place.
Let His light pierce your darkness - though it may hurt awhile, as it does when you first turn on a light in a dark room, you will adjust quickly and find that the warmth of the Light will awaken the Peace resting in your soul.
On the other hand, you may not be hiding from God, you are earnestly seeking Him yet you feel like he has abandoned you--hiding from you. This is a lie straight from the pit of Hell--reject that thought. Renew your heart with the truth today.
For a deeper look, read the following passages of Scripture: Psalm 121:3, 5-8; Psalm 33 and Isaiah 41:10
Walk in the freshness of His Holy and wonderful name!
El Roi, thank you for your faithfulness and never losing sight of me!
© Teresa Ortiz 2007; 2009
Article submitted Saturday, August 29, 2009 & read 4521 times.
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» left by ted gragg from Tascosa (3 years 274 days ago.)
Ma'am, this is just down-right inspirational. Well spoken.» left by Anonymous (3 years 274 days ago.)
Hi Ted, I always get a smile when I hear from you :-) Glad you enjoyed! Many blessings to you! Teresa
» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow in CO (3 years 273 days ago.)
Great illustration - I could feel the tension of the little gal in the shower....Think the summary grabs it all! "El Roi, thank you for your faithfulness and never losing sight of me!" Very good piece to "chew on" Marijo» left by Teresa (3 years 273 days ago.)
I am glad it was helpful :-) I can remember it like it was yesterday.
» left by Tre Allen from San Antonio TX (3 years 119 days ago.)
Hello, I Thank God (El Roi) for your testimony. It was very encouraging.. Can I ask that you and others please pray for me and my family? We are going through some really bad times and I need El Roi to comfort me. My name is Tre and I need the God of seeing to heal the heart of my wife and children. I also need for Him to restore my marriage. Thank you!» left by Teresa(1,338)
Hi Tre, I am so glad you were encouraged. We will certainly be praying for you and your family -may God deliver, heal, and bring new life into your marriage and your family. Please stay in touch and come back often.
I think that I am going to set a place where anyone can share a prayer request and others can pray.
God bless you abundantly - he is the God who sees and He will not leave you. Stay close to Him.
» left by Regina from Virginia (3 years 100 days ago.)
Beautiful illustration, Teresa. Well written. This is my favorite name for God. El Roi. Thank you for writing about this part of His nature.
» left by Teresa(1,338)
Hi Regina,
SO glad you found your way here. Thank you for the encouraging words. It is an incredible comfort knowing God is with us and watching us - it gives me confidence that he only allows that which will benefit - even it the experience is down right painful - God is with us.
I pray you will keep coming back - invite your friends - keeping joining in the conversation so that we may lift eachother up in the ways of the Lord.
Blessings to you!
» left by tosha from garland,tx (3 years 60 days ago.)
I loved it, I love this name for our Lord. yes He sees it all.tosha P.» left by Teresa Ortiz (3 years 42 days ago.)
Hello Tosha,
Thank you for stopping by, I am so glad you liked this, God is always watching out for us and is always with us every step we take.
Blessings to you as you grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Join us again :-)
» left by Ken McCreless from Event Horizon (2 years 314 days ago.)
Wonderful, Sis! Thank you so much!» left by Teresa (2 years 214 days ago.)
Hello Bro, bro - you are welcome :-) Blessings to you!
» left by Dan from PA (2 years 214 days ago.)We appreciate your comments!
Good one, Theresa. I was looking for a story to tell to a chapel of Christian School kids tomorrow and came across your story. I'll tell yours, not as if it's mine, of course. I'll give you credit.» left by Teresa Ortiz (2 years 214 days ago.)
Hello Dan.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I am blessed you feel this story is worth sharing. May God use it to open the eyes and hearts of these students! I pray their hearts will be open.
Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him. What a gift it is to be able to work with the youth. Please share anything thoughts that may come up because of this.
Many blessings to you! Teresa