Calling Upon the Lord

This morning I read about how Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away because Sarah didn't want Ishmael to share in Isaac's inheritance. Through their journey into the desert they ran out of water, faith and hope. At this point Hagar placed Ishmael under a bush and walked some distance away from him so she didn't have to watch him die. It says that they both began to cry. God heard their cries and called out to Hagar from heaven. "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there . . . Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water." Genesis 21:17-19a.

I am touched by the fact that God heard Hagar and Ishmael in their desperate hour of need. He not only heard them but He responded. Psalm 9:9 reminds us that "The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Mrs. Charles E. Cowman wrote, "The Father cares when He sees His children in the teeth of a blinding storm, but He knows that faith grows in the tempest. He will hold our hand bidding us not to try to see the next step we are to take. He knows the paths of a hundred million stars, knows the way through the whirlwind and the storm, and has promised, "I will never, never let go of your hand!"

I don't know how Hagar and Ishmael went from their time at the well to becoming a great nation. But they trusted and had faith that God would bring about what He promised. Somehow she got off the desert floor, drank deeply from the well and pushed forward not giving up. The water God provided was life giving for them like it is for us today. He (Jesus) says, "but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. In deed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." John 4:14

When we call upon the Lord He listens and responds. He doesn't fix our situation but He leads us through it that we might learn and grow. May we never give up in the middle of the storm. We may not see the Lord but we can always feel His hand closed around ours. If you've never turned to Him I strongly urge you to do so. Turn to Him like Hagar did and He will respond to you - I GUARANTEE it. Do you want to be satisfied, feel safe and loved? Then drink of the living water He talks about in John 4:14.

Krista Jones
1.6.08