When Sarai “dealt harshly” with Hagar and ran her off into the wilderness, the Angel of the Lord came to Hagar to reassure her that “the Lord has heard your affliction” (Gen. 16:11) and would bless her child Ishmael. Hagar realized that “I have seen Him who sees me” (16:13).
After the birth and weaning of Isaac (about 17 years later), Hagar and Ishmael were sent away with provisions from Abraham and his family (Gen. 21:8-14). They wandered in the wilderness until the provisions were “used up,” and Hagar “placed the boy” (a teenager) “under one of the shrubs,” and she “sat down across from him at a distance” so that she would not see his death (21:15-16). Read the first words of the next verse, “And God heard the voice of the lad” (21:17).
When hope seemed lost on two occasions, Hagar was reminded of the presence of the Lord in her life. He “sees me” and He “hears” me. Maybe things in your life aren’t looking so good right now. “Fear not!” (21:17). God sees and God hears! Do you trust Him?