Blessings aren't reserved for people that work hard and think they deserve them!
13 Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”
Everything is going really good for Hagar ever since she met Abram, she met him while he was visiting Egypt because of the famine in Canaan, what a joy it must have been to live in the household of a man that God has chosen to bless, a lowly slave girl couldn't ask for a better household to work for.
Hagar may have felt that she was blessed even more when she was chosen as the surrogate mother for Abram's child. Maybe she thought that Sarai would be cast aside like so many other barren women were so that she could be the wife. How delighted she must have been to be chosen, she knew all of the stories about the promised child, all of the great wealth, the real estate and the blessing that he would be to the whole world.
Hagar's stinking thinking led to a stinking attitude, she become arrogant and proud, Sarai responded by becoming defensive and passed the blame to Abram who in turn reminded Sarai that Hagar was just a slave girl and she could treat her any way she wanted and so she did. (Genesis 16:4-6, Proverbs 30:21-23)
The results of Abram and Sarai's sins against Hagar became so bad that she runs away in desperation. At first she thought that she was receiving a blessing but now it seems more like a curse. Hagar knew that Abram’s God loved him but did he love a lowly Gentile slave girl? How could her future look so bright and now she is unmarried pregnant, all alone and without a home?
Psalms 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.God comes to Hagar to answer her questions but first he has some questions for her. It may seem strange that God would ever ask anybody a question, but he isn't trying to get information about Hagar's situation, God uses questions as a friendly way to start a conversation.
Doing anything without God's approval always complicates things, Sarai and Abram were out of God's will when they took this crazy plan to Hagar and then when their plan gets messy Hagar makes a bad choice and runs away.
It reminds me of the time that Abram ran to Egypt because of the famine in Canaan, God never told him to go, maybe he was supposed to stay in Canaan and allow God to provide for him there. If he had not gone to Egypt then he wouldn't have Hagar in his household and maybe this situation would have never happened. (The School of Faith)
God wanted Hagar to go back to the situation that she was running from with a new attitude, instead of being arrogant she needs to go back to the way it used to be. Hagar must return to her role as a servant and be submissive even if Sarai's attitude isn't any better.
Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.God promised Hagar that she would be blessed, her son would not be a slave, he will be prosperous and he would also be the father of a great nation. I think that it's interesting that Ishmael eventually had twelve sons but his brother Isaac only had two, it would be Jacob that would have the twelve sons that comprise the tribes of Israel. (Genesis 25:13-15)
Hagar wouldn’t have seen the Lord if it hadn’t been for her trial and she wouldn't know that he sees her. Many people believe that God is watching what they do but they don't understand that he is seeing them through the eyes of love even when we are disobedient.
God saw the bad things that happened to her and her inappropriate response, he also saw the hurt and loneliness that caused her to run in despair and he saw her tears. Despite all of this sin she was seen by God with love and he promised grace, mercy and blessings.
Isaiah 66:2 My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the LORD, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.
What a message of hope for all of God's children! We won't be perfect until that day when he takes us away from here but we don't have to be! God's blessings aren't reserved for the ones that work real hard and think they deserve them!
Sometimes our circumstances are our own fault, sometimes they are a result of somebody else, but God can take our messy circumstances and use them for his glory and for our blessing. I need to be a humble servant and be submissive in my circumstances no matter how hard it seems.
I need to see myself the way that God sees me
You cannot celebrate your rescue if you don't see you as God sees you. When you truly realize who you are in Christ you will resist the lies that Satan wants to plant in your head.
I need to see others the way God sees me
You cannot help others find their rescue if you don't see them with the way that God sees you. They will be amazed when you love them the way that you have experienced God's love to you.
Thank you God for seeing me with love and compassion despite my mistakes. Thank you for loving me so much that you were willing to give your son so that I will receive eternal blessings! Help me to remember that you don't need my help to accomplish your promises and your plans.
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