If you need a quick refresher, it is a true soap opera of old. Abraham had been promised by God that his descendants would be great in number, yet he didn't have any children. His wife Sarah was barren and they were both well advanced in age (Abraham was 75 when God first made His covenant). So Sarah took things into her own hands and told Abraham to take Hagar, her Egyptian maidservant, as his wife so that she could bear them a child (and, in essence, help God bring about His promise).
Well, as you can imagine with women, this ended up to be an emotional train wreck. Hagar became pregnant and then despised Sarah. So Sarah got mad and treated Hagar horribly then sent her away, pregnant and alone (Do you see the hormones raging?)
Two things resonate with me from this passage:
- When we try to rush God's timing, people get hurt and plans go awry. God has made many promises in His Word; and as we grow closer to Him, He even gives specific promises to His children. The difficult thing is trusting and resting while we wait for Him to bring it to pass. But if we want His best, then we must rest.
- When we have been hurt deeply, betrayed and cast aside, God sees with eyes of compassion. Hagar was cast out and she was heartbroken. But God met her in that place of total distress and brought wisdom and blessing. Your tears are not shed alone.
It all comes down to me and God...you and God. He has created us and knows us perfectly. He knows that when we seek Him to fulfill our deepest longings, trust in His ways and timing, and obey His Word, we will be blessed. I am not saying you will get the house you want or the car or the man, I am saying that He will bless with a peace that passes all understanding. In Him truly is life abundant.
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:31
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