It’s hard to see the big picture of our lives. Sometimes things happen in our lives that seem horrible or hopeless. Like we are wandering in a desert waiting to die. But if we trust God, we see that the horrible things were necessary in order to get us where God wanted us. But I often whine and complain when I'm in my desert experience not realizing it is essential so as to get to the next phase of my life with God.
As was with Hagar and her son Ishmael, God commanded Abraham to go ahead and send them off. The two wandered in the desert, expecting to die. It became a totally hopeless situation! But their eyes were hidden from Gods plan. But in Gods timing, He intervened and gave them the Eye Opening Experience where they saw the hope for the future.
What are we going through or what have we gone through that had an element of hopelessness? Or we thought it would never get better?
What was the Eye Opening Experience that was just what we needed to keep pushing onward?
For me, when we have an event at camp, I have to Trust God for volunteers. I'm learning that God really does care and does intervene in my situations. I struggled with us doing a float and God provided helpers and people to be involved and we ended up winning and getting a check for $350. Then for the Fall Fest I needed a lot of helpers and I finally told God I would trust Him and not worry. We had enough people.
It’s interesting to me how it was Sarah’s idea for Abraham to have a child with Hagar, but now in chapter 21, she wants rid of Hagar and Ishmael because she now has Isaac. I wonder if sometimes when Sarah looked at Ishmael after she became pregnant, if she thought of the mess that she had made. God’s plans are always so much better to follow than our own. I also can’t help but feel sympathetic for Hagar as she was forced to leave. Hagar runs out of water in the wilderness of Beersheba and is in a desperate situation when she starts to cry out. She encounters an angel and is given a new hope as God also opens her eyes to see a well. This reminds me of when Jesus met with a Samaritan woman at a well in John 4. Hebrews 6:10 tells us that God is not unjust and we read in Hebrews 11:5 about how the Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. Jesus is our living water!
Here’s the link for God Knows You’ve Tried.
https://youtu.be/fiQNpK-wZ6s
It is when we are at our lowest point and cry out to God with all our heart that our very being is consumed by God’s love. We then have the strength to once more climb our mountain called life.
I have 2 children, and I couldn’t imagine how difficult it must have been for Abraham, he was required to send one of his sons into the desert. And just think how sad it must have been for Ishmael thinking my dad doesn’t want me and my mom.
My eye opening experience and the start of my spiritual walk was the destruction of my family, I would not have started going to church. thank you Karen B & Gwyn H.
When I was younger, I couldn’t understand how Abraham, who was blessed so much, could send his son and Hagar away with only a bit of bread and water. Now I understand that Abraham was continuing to mature in his walk with God. He wisely decided not to give God a hand in fulfilling what He had promised about Ishmael. This time, Abraham didn’t take matters into his own hands. He sent them out in faith.
In spite of their previous encounter many years earlier, Abraham’s life had become a testimony to Abimelech. Abimelech saw that God was with Abraham. This reminds me to never underestimate the power of our testimony in our walk. We never know who else is watching and taking note.
I am so blessed to read each comment! Thank you all for blessing me with your comments and insights!!!
It is when uncertainty arises that I feel like I have the hardest time trusting God. I allow stress and fear and anxiety to take over. I feel myself being pulled away from God when what I really need is to draw closer to Him.
Although it had to have been so difficult for Abraham to watch his son leave his life, he trusted that God would fulfill His promise to him. It is when we completely trust, completely give over ourselves and our thoughts to God that He blesses us beyond what we can imagine. I look back at the toughest times in my life and remember praying, crying out to God. He has always answered my prayers. Not always on my timing or how I thought I wanted the prayer to be answered, but in a way that blesses me beyond what I ever imagined.
Let us remember to be in feverent prayer and devotion in the certain times as well as the uncertain times!