I have been thinking and praying all day about what I could share about the name El Roi and how God sees us. Today has been one of those days where I just didn’t want to do anything. I didn’t sleep well last night, and honestly, I just wanted to sit and watch Hallmark and call it a day.
But as I was reading this evening and praying for guidance from God, I was reminded of an unnamed woman in scripture. In John 8, we are told the story of a woman who was caught in adultery. It is believed that this was actually a trap that the Pharisees had set up in order not to condemn the woman but ultimately trap Jesus.
They drag the woman out and make their claims before Jesus and ask him what they should do. Jesus simply bent down and started writing in the sand. When they persisted in their questioning and demanded that Jesus condemn the woman, Jesus stood up and said, “The person who is sinless should cast the first stone.”
I often wonder if Jesus was writing their sins in the sand for them to see.
One by one, they left without casting the first stone against the woman.
When they all left, Jesus asked the woman, “Where are your accusers?”
“They left,” she said.
Then the one who WAS sinless said, “I don’t condemn you either. Go and sin no more!”
If ever there was a moment where someone was seen, it was this one. She was caught in the act. Perhaps she was naked or barely clothed. Displayed for all to see. She was seen by her peers in an accusatory way. However, by the one who truly SAW her, the woman she is, not the sin she was caught in, he did not look on her with condemnation, but with grace, love, and forgiveness.
Be comforted in knowing that when God sees our inner thoughts, our hidden sins, and the dark places that we would rather Him not see, He doesn’t look at us with judgment. He looks at us with love. He grants us forgiveness through His son.
Rest in knowing that the one who sees us and knows us loves us just the way we are.
I hope you had a great day with Jesus!
Life on E Street 