My Bible reading today aligned so perfectly today with the state of my heart over that I HAD to SHARE!
Join me in Genesis 16.
Background:
God told Abram (his name has not bee changed yet) that he will be the Father of a great nation. Interesting enough in this same conversation he stated that this people group would be “sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years (Gen. 15:13).” Before God ever gave Abram, Isaac… before the story began… God knew about the Israelites captivity in Egypt, and His plan to rescue them.
So, now we have really old Abram and really old Sarai. Sarai decides since she cannot give Abram an heir, she should give Abram her servant Hagar. When Hagar conceives, she looks at Sarai with contempt. Sarai, obviously is not ok with this, brings it to Abram who tells her to deal with her servant as she wished. Thus, Sarai treats Hagar (who is now pregnant with her husband’s child by Sarai’s scheming) harshly.
So harshly, that Hagar runs away.
An angel of the Lord found her and spoke to her. The angel told her to “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” WHAT!
Yes, that mistress who is treating you badly. That one who is abusing you.
Why? Why should she do that… Immediately following the command, the angel tells Hagar that God will multiply her offspring so much that they cannot be numbered. The angel promised a blessing to her. As, the angel confirms that she is pregnant with a boy! She will name him Ishmael because the Lord has listened to your affliction. (16:11)
The Lord heard her. The Lord sees her. Though she is not part of the “Great Rescue” plan, God still cares for her.
Hagar responds echoing this thought, “You are a God of seeing… Truly here I have seen him who looks after me (16:13).”
Friends, God sees you! He cares for you!
Hagar was in this position because of someone else’s scheming. She was pregnant and abused. She was suffering. This child was not the son of the promise, but God still blessed him and his mom. Her life would not be easy, but she could find peace in knowing that God sees her.
Lord, I thank you that you see us, each, individually. I pray that everyone who is suffering from abuse, neglect, anxiety, uncertainty, pain, and suffering can find peace and comfort in knowing that you are a good who cares for His people. Lord give us a peace that surpasses all understanding and a heart that yearns for you! It’s in Jesus name I pray.