One of my favorite Bible stories is recorded in the Book of Genesis. Hagar was the maidservant of Sarah who was given to Abraham as his concubine, or second wife, to bear a child for him as Sarah, herself, was barren. Although it was Sarah who chose Hagar as her surrogate, she became jealous as Hagar's womb started to grow with Abraham's seed inside. After a while, Hagar decided that she was fed up with Sarah's harsh chastisement so she fled to the desert as a means of escape; however, God directed her to go back and submit to Sarah. Hagar returns and soon afterward gives birth to Ishmael.
Now, let's fast forward 14 years later to when Sarah has received the promise of God and bore herself a son, Isaac. Scripture tells us that after Isaac was weaned, Sarah wants Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away in order to ensure that Isaac will be Abraham's only heir. Although it grieved Abraham to send his son away, he obeyed God and did as his wife requested.
As Hagar and Ishmael wander aimlessly in the wilderness, they find themselves lost and with no means of sustenance. Hagar has lost all hope, if she had much to begin with, and can't bear to see her son die. Out of despair and heartbreak, she places her only son under a shrub, then lifts up her voice and cries out to God as she prepares to watch Ishmael breathe his last.
I felt led to share this today because someone is crying out in desperation; you've lost all hope and you're slowly dying inside. You're mourning the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job or maybe you or someone you love has been diagnosed with a life threatening disease; whatever it is, remember, there is no problem too great for God. When Hagar and Ishmael cried out in despair, the angel of God answered their calls of distress and ministered to Hagar. You see, years before when Hagar ran away from Sarah, God had revealed to her His plan for Ishmael. He told her that He would multiply her seed exceedingly (Gen 16:10) but in the midst of the test, she forgot what the Lord had promised her. Ishmael wasn't going to die out there in the wilderness because God's plan was to prosper him and make a nation out of him. And after God ensured Hagar that they would live, He supplied a well of water right in the middle of nowhere to sustain the both of them. Could you use a water well right now? Something to replenish and sustain you? Do you need a fresh start? That water well could represent salvation for a lost loved one, a new car, or money to pay your bills. Whatever it is that you need, just lift your voice to God and ask Him to give you your water well.
Let's pray:
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come before you lost and desperate. I'm asking you for help; I'm asking you to replenish me and to restore my soul. I'm asking you to provide a well of water in the midst of my wilderness situation. God I have nowhere else to go and don't know what to do, guide my footsteps and steer me back into Your divinely ordered path for my life. Forgive me for going about my own way and straying away from You. I surrender my own will and submit unto You. Minister to me, Lord, and put into my remembrance Your purpose for me; remind me of Your promises. I thank You for Your Son, Jesus, and the blood that He willfully shed for me. I thank You that His blood heals and restores and I plead it over every area of my life and over every member of my household. Your Word says to think on things that are lovely, and of a good report so I cast down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5). God I cast all of my cares unto You and believe that You shall sustain me (Psalm 55:22) because You care for me (1Peter 5:7).
It is in Your Son Jesus' Name that I pray,
Amen.
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