“Now the Angel of the Lord found her (Hagar) by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. 8 And He said, “Hagar, Sarai’s maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” 9 The Angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself under her hand.” Genesis 16:7-9 “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Genesis 16:13NKJV
So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away . . . And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs . . . for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” . . . 17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, “What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” Genesis 21:selected verses from 14-19 NKJV
Lord God,
We cannot rush through Genesis without pausing on Hagar. She was not able to make her own decisions and was at the hands of a woman desperate to conceive and who became jealous. Perhaps Hagar was goading her when she found herself pregnant. Two broken women each with their own hurts. I cannot condemn either as I have my own brokenness.
But looking to You I see that you asked her to return. Safer for her have and raise her baby with the assurance You would protect and care for her. Then when he was 14, (Abraham was 68 when he was born and 100 when Isaac was born), she found herself cast out again. Depressed and blind to any possibilities. And Yu came to assure her she would survive and prosper.
Sometimes we only see situations and forget to listen out for You. It could be people or external situations – our fault or others or both! Speak to us even over our weeping. Assure us, like Hagar, You are the God who sees me and comes to help. Both times You gave her what she needed. Water in the dessert wastelands. Her son sat a bows length away from her suggesting he could hunt and find food. You provide, guide us, who ever we are whatever life tells us we are worth or not worth. Remain or move on – You are the God who sees and provides.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Wednesday 8th January 2025
I love You, Lord
Oh, Your mercy never fails me
All my days, I’ve been held in Your hands
From the moment that I wake up
Until I lay my head
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
And all my life You have been faithful
And all my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God
I love Your voice
You have led me through the fire
And in darkest night You are close like no other
I’ve known You as a Father
I’ve known You as a Friend
And I have lived in the goodness of God, yeah
Chorus
‘Cause Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me
With my life laid down, I’m surrendered now
I give You everything
Your goodness is running after, it’s running after me.
Repeat . . . ‘Cause your goodness
Chorus . . . repeat twice
Lyrics: Ben Fielding / Brian Johnson / Edward Martin Cash / Jason Ingram / Jenn Johnson