El Shama: The God Who Hears (Testimony)

Hey, beautiful friends! ❤️

I want to dive headfirst into a refreshingly heartwarming exploration of a name/title of God – El Shama. This Hebrew name translates to “God who hears” or “God who listens,” and boy, oh boy, does He ever!

Ready? Let’s go!

The Hebrew Roots of El Shama

The story of El Shama begins with Hagar and her son Ishmael (Genesis 16). Hagar, an Egyptian slave, found herself in the wilderness, frightened, alone, and on the brink of despair. But guess what? God heard her cries. He saw her pain. In the midst of her desolation, God showed up, leading Hagar to call Him “El Roi” – the God who sees.

Genesis 16:10-11, “Then the Angel of the LORD said to her, “I will multiply your descendants exceedingly, so that they shall not be counted for multitude.” And the Angel of the LORD said to her: “Behold, you are with child, And you shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, Because the LORD has heard your affliction.”

Genesis 16:13, “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[a] the One who sees me.”

Shortly after, Ishmael, Hagar’s son, found himself in a similar situation (Genesis 21:17). He was dying of thirst in the desert, but God heard his cries too. He opened her (Hagar’s) eyes, and she saw a water well, saving Ishmael’s life. From these experiences, we see the character of God as El Shama, the God who listens and responds to our needs, no matter how big or small they may seem.

Genesis 21:17-18, “God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. ¹⁸ Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”

A Personal Encounter with El Shama

Now, let me share a personal story that beautifully illustrates the essence of El Shama. A few weeks ago, I found myself grappling with a problem that seemed so trivial, so minute, that I felt silly even bringing it before God. But I did it anyway.

So, I whispered to Him, “I don’t know how this will be done, God, but I trust you.” It was a simple prayer, yet it was laden with my genuine trust in His power and wisdom. And guess what? El Shama heard me!

The very next day, I received a letter from a ministry I support. The contents of the letter? My answer in full! Literally listing out how to work out my problem (backed by scripture!). It reminds me of Matthew 6:8, which states, “…your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” It was as if God had orchestrated everything perfectly just to respond to my seemingly insignificant struggle.

Always Listening, Always Responding

Friends, isn’t it simply awe-inspiring how our God doesn’t only hear our desperate pleas or grand prayers but also our faint whispers? He listens even when we think our concerns are too small or too insignificant. As Psalm 34:17 reminds us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.”

So, let me encourage you today – don’t hold back. Speak to God about your joys, your fears, your dreams, and yes, even your ‘insignificant’ struggles. Remember, we serve El Shama – the God who hears, the God who listens.