Abraham’s wife and her maid, the mother of Abraham’s son Ishmael, did not always get along (to say the least). Sarah finally said, enough is enough, and went to Abraham to have her and Ishmael sent away. In great distress, but in obedience to God, Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away.
So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.
When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “Do not let me see the boy die.” And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink. — Genesis 21:14-19
Have you been there? I’m sure you have because life is not always kind. You are at the end of your rope, as Hagar is, and so you just distance yourself from the ones you love and focus on the situation before you. Have we forgotten the promises of God as Hagar did?
Moreover, the angel of the Lord said to her, “I will greatly multiply your descendants so that they will be too many to count.” The angel of the Lord said to her further,
“Behold, you are with child,
And you will bear a son;
And you shall call his name Ishmael,
Because the Lord has given heed to your affliction.
“He will be a wild donkey of a man,
His hand will be against everyone,
And everyone’s hand will be against him;
And he will live to the east of all his brothers.” — Genesis 16:10-12
God made His presence know and when she was reminded her eyes were open to God’s provision.
Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink.
Our focus needs to be on God so we can see His provision. His way. His purpose. Seek Him through His Word where His promises will encourage us, strengthen us and lead us for our good and His glory. And when our focus shifts, we must seek Him in prayer to return our hearts to Him.
Continually seeking Him,
Sharon
Continually Seeking Him 