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Genesis 21:8-20 (NIV)
Hagar and Ishmael Sent Away
8 The child grew and was weaned, and on the day Isaac was weaned Abraham held a great feast. 9 But Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, 10 and she said to Abraham, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son. 12 But God said to him, “Do not be so distressed about the boy and your slave woman. Listen to whatever Sarah tells you because it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 13 I will make the son of the slave into a nation also because he is your offspring.” 14 Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the Desert of Beersheba. 15 When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. 17 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.” 19 Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.20 God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer.
Who or what is behind the pain/sorrow that each one in these texts suffers?
Who hears each one’s pain and overcomes it?
Precious Lord, forgive me when I cannot wait for You to respond in my situations and I try to take matters in my own hands. I can plan and manipulate the situation to what I want, but if it is not in line with Your will, it will go badly. In Abraham’s situation by not submitting to Your will he created a child that caused pain in his household and for thousands of generations. Help me to submit to Your will and to wait for Your timing. Thank You that even though Abraham messed up, You did not turn Your back on him, Hagar and Ishmael. Thank You that after my attempts of controlling my situation fails, You don’t ignore my cries, as I suffer in my self-created problems. You are a gracious and merciful God and work all things for good for those who have been called according to Your purpose. Lord, give me the patience to trust You and help me to submit to You in the first place so I can live in peace by remaining in Your will. Amen