Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
The Lord Found Her
Today’s Verse:
And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. ~Genesis 16:7
Our common reaction to hostility, harsh treatment, and rejection is to leave the place where we are and reside where we can be away from all of this. Someone who lives in a neighborhood where there is a continued increase in break ins, burglaries, crime, home invasion, and robberies will resort to moving away in the hope of finding safety elsewhere. In our devotion this morning, we see a Bible principle about the importance of facing our challenges head on instead of trying to find a better location and the importance of knowing that God sees.
We see the runaway.
“But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.” Hagar faced the harsh cruelty of being used, abused, and refused. She decided to make a fast exit away. She left unannounced and fled for her safety and well-being. Our human nature would rather run from our problems than face them. When we have sinned, our sinful nature would rather run from God than seek God with a repentant heart. Don’t let your survival instinct lead you to think that running will help you escape your problems.
We see the recovery.
“And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.” Hagar ran into the wilderness and stopped at a fountain. However, Jesus found her! He found her weeping. He found her weary. He found her at the water. He found her while she was lonely and languishing. At your lowest point in life, Jesus will find you just as He found Hagar. We might feel forsaken, but He never forsakes us. Although she was not looking for the Lord, He was looking for her! The Lord’s goal for her was for her recovery and restoration.
We see the responsibility.
“And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.” The first thing the Lord told her was that she needed to return to Sarai. Running away does not solve our problems. We must face our adversaries and adversities head on. He also told her that she needed to submit herself to Sarai. Hagar had a bad spirit against Sarai. She was also afraid of her. God told her to return and submit. In dealing with our problems, those two commands are still what God requires of us.
We see the realization.
“And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” God gave her a forecast of her future and that of her unborn son, Ishmael. The Lord encouraged her faith. The Lord gave her fortitude. When she realized that the Lord loved her, she gave that location a special name. In Hebrew, it was named “Beerlahairoi.” She also called on the Lord as “El Roi.” She called the Lord “Thou God seest me.” When we are hurting, we might become doubtful and think that God doesn’t care: but “Thou God seest.” When we are all alone and feel forsaken, we might feel like hiding is the best thing for us: but “Thou God seest.” God sees our pain, our predicament, but also, our potential. Whatever you might be going through today, God sees you. You are never out of His sight.
Have a secure God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Judges 8-9
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