Fri.’s Devo -The God Who Sees

Read Gen. 16:11-16

Hagar ran away from Sarai’s hard hand but I wonder if she even thought it through. God asked her where she had come from and where she was going and she didn’t even answer that question, she just went straight to her offense. The angel told her that she is pregnant which is not new news to her, but it verified to her who he was. This had to be comforting to Hagar, especially since he was asking her to go back and be treated badly. Not only did he assure her she was pregnant, but that she was carrying a son and that God was going to name him. That was a very important thing since names meant everything back then. He gave him the name Ishmael, which means “God will hear”. It was a special word to her that God had heard her plight and was coming to her rescue. If he hadn’t appeared to her she might not have lived long and God had plans for her and her son. God is the ultimate redeemer and redeems every situation. We cannot mess things up so badly that his hand cannot save and make right. Then God went on to describe what this boy would be like: a wild man who would seek revenge and have many enemies and few friends. Not exactly the prophecy you want for your son, but he was to play an important role in history. She renamed the place she was at to mean “the God who sees me”. She went from feeling alone and insignificant to knowing that God knew her and cared about her and her son. What a revelation. I’m sure this is what gave her the strength to go back to Sarai. She had the baby and named him Ishmael. Abram is 86 years old when Ishmael is born.

Lord, thank you for being such a personal God who cares about everything about us. Your plan is perfect.