BLINDED BY DESPAIR
JANUARY 2013
by Lisa Maki
Imagine how Hagar must have felt when she and her child were driven from Abraham’s presence. In the first place, it was not her idea to have a child by him. She was asked by Sarah, her mistress to lie with her husband so she can have a child by her. And after she got pregnant, Sarah despised her and treated her badly (Gen. 16:6). Now, she is being asked to leave, just because Sarah and Abraham have children of their own. To make things worse, Abraham only gave them bread and a bottle of water for their journey.
If you were in Hagar’s shoes, don’t you think you won’t feel so much despair? She wandered aimlessly and lost her way in the wilderness (v. 14).
The same thing that happened to Hagar can happen to us when we are facing problems that really weigh us down. We can go round and round without direction, losing our way to where God wants us to go. Hagar didn’t see beyond what they had with them. She just saw the bread and water they had.
When the water was consumed, Hagar expected her child to die. Instead of doing something, she just waited for his death (v.15). She was so exhausted to even think of anything to do.
In the midst of our weariness from our problems, we don’t even think anymore of what God can do. We just submit to our sufferings, sometimes even deceived into thinking that it is to God that we are submitting to.
In desperation and helplessness, Ishmael and Hagar cried out to God (v.16). Then God heard them (v.17), encouraged Hagar (v.18), and opened her eyes (v.19). Then she saw the well of water; and she went and filled the empty bottle with water and caused the youth to drink (v.19).
The well was there all along. Yet Hagar didn’t see it because she was blinded by her despair. It was her recognition of her helplessness and God’s power over her that removed the scales from her eyes.
When she finally saw, she stood up and took action. She didn’t remain in her predicament. As a result, God remained with Ishmael and took care of him (vv. 20-21).
Heavenly Father. I praise You for Your promise of protection. The same God who took care of Ishmael and Hagar is the same God that I am praying to right now. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You Yourself said that You will never leave us nor forsake us. As I go through a difficult time in my life, I ask You dear God to keep opening my eyes to Your goodness and faithfulness. Let me not be like Hagar who was blinded by her despair. Refresh me dear God when I get weary and tired. Restore me when I feel so down and out. Comfort me during times of discouragement. You alone are my God. On You have I placed my trust. Be my protection always. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!
If you were in Hagar’s shoes, don’t you think you won’t feel so much despair? She wandered aimlessly and lost her way in the wilderness (v. 14).
The same thing that happened to Hagar can happen to us when we are facing problems that really weigh us down. We can go round and round without direction, losing our way to where God wants us to go. Hagar didn’t see beyond what they had with them. She just saw the bread and water they had.
When the water was consumed, Hagar expected her child to die. Instead of doing something, she just waited for his death (v.15). She was so exhausted to even think of anything to do.
In the midst of our weariness from our problems, we don’t even think anymore of what God can do. We just submit to our sufferings, sometimes even deceived into thinking that it is to God that we are submitting to.
In desperation and helplessness, Ishmael and Hagar cried out to God (v.16). Then God heard them (v.17), encouraged Hagar (v.18), and opened her eyes (v.19). Then she saw the well of water; and she went and filled the empty bottle with water and caused the youth to drink (v.19).
The well was there all along. Yet Hagar didn’t see it because she was blinded by her despair. It was her recognition of her helplessness and God’s power over her that removed the scales from her eyes.
When she finally saw, she stood up and took action. She didn’t remain in her predicament. As a result, God remained with Ishmael and took care of him (vv. 20-21).
Heavenly Father. I praise You for Your promise of protection. The same God who took care of Ishmael and Hagar is the same God that I am praying to right now. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. You Yourself said that You will never leave us nor forsake us. As I go through a difficult time in my life, I ask You dear God to keep opening my eyes to Your goodness and faithfulness. Let me not be like Hagar who was blinded by her despair. Refresh me dear God when I get weary and tired. Restore me when I feel so down and out. Comfort me during times of discouragement. You alone are my God. On You have I placed my trust. Be my protection always. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN!
Lisa Maki is the founder, publisher, and editor of God'z Gurlz. More about Lisa at ...
http://www.godzgurlz.com/regular-contributors.html
http://www.godzgurlz.com/regular-contributors.html
