Lessons from Hagar

As a mother of two grown sons it is not always easy to let go and trust God for their future, let alone my own. God has been reminding me through the story of Hagar that I can trust Him with my life and the life of my children and grandchildren. I simply need to let go and let God.

-Now Sarai, Abram’s wife had borne him (1)

Hagar was an Egyptian servant and Sarah’s handmaiden. Sarah was barren and desperate to have a child, so desperate that she ran ahead of God’s plan and had Abraham marry her servant for the sole purpose of Hagar becoming a surrogate for Sarah. Have you ever thought about Hagar? She had no choice but to marry Abraham. A child is conceived. Hagar gives birth to Abraham’s first son, Ishmael. God and Abraham loved Ishmael.

However, with any blended family there are usually challenges that must be overcome.

In Genesis 16, Hagar taunts her mistress Sarah. Sarah regrets her decision but knows there is no turning back the clock. The stigma of Sarah’s bareness is almost too much to bare.

But God ……

God opens Sarah’s womb and she births the promised child of the covenant, Isaac. Issac’s relationship with his older brother, Ishmael was strained. Perhaps, Ishmael understood he was not the chosen child. The tension was great in this blended family. In Genesis 21:10 Sarah told Abraham it was time for Hagar and her son to move out. Abraham agonizes but God confirms this decision so Abraham sends Hagar and Ishmael away.

Early the next morning Abraham took some

Hagar has no way to care for her son. There is no child support, no shelter. Literally she was in the wilderness of Beersheba. They have no water left, Hagar was at her wits end. In the book, Abraham by Charles Swindoll,  Hagar faced the challenge of having to survive alone as she was suddenly a single mother wandering aimlessly, being forsaken by loved ones and wondering if God cared. She leaves Ishmael to rest. In Genesis 21: 15-16, Hagar pleads with God, “Please do not let me see him die!”

As a mother, can you relate to Hagar’s despair? Perhaps you are a single mom barely making ends meet. Perhaps, you are homeless. Perhaps, you have to leave your children with a sitter to work long hours to only have more month than money. Perhaps, your sons only tolerate one another. Perhaps you are wondering how you will get out of this situation?

Beloved, God knows where you are. Instead of bitterness, tell the Lord I only need you to survive. I trust your plans for my life and the life of my children. Do not let past mistakes, discourage you. Hagar hears God’s promise that Ishmael will be a great nation. She wipes her tears and sees God’s provision of a water well. God meets Hagar in the desert meeting all of her needs.

Will you trust God with your needs? 17 God heard the boy crying, and the

Father God, I surrender and I need you. Will you  sing “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”

3 Responses to Lessons from Hagar
  1. Gina Duke
    January 30, 2015 | 10:43 am

    I love the story of Hagar bc there she was being carried along with this couple whom had had this great vision and promise from God. In her despair she learns that God also has a great vision and promise for hers, too. That He sees her even though she may not have considered herself anything special. Even though God’s words to hear were not necessarily promising (no one would like her son; his hand would be against everyone’s and theirs against him – I’m paraphrasing), she was still greatly encouraged by the fact that the God who noticed Abraham and Sarah also took note of her life. Even when things aren’t looking good, just knowing there is God who loves us and is there for us can be the one thing that gets us through. Praise His Name! BTW – I am your neighbor at Blessing Counters linkup.

  2. Carol
    January 30, 2015 | 11:37 am

    The story of Hagar does point to God’s loving provision–I mention Hagar in my post today. God sees women and knows their needs. I’m visiting from Blessing Counters.

  3. Linda Lochridge Hoenigsberg
    January 30, 2015 | 4:03 pm

    I have always loved this part of the story of Abraham. There was a time in my life when I felt just like Hagar, running out to the desert. I did not know what would happen to my children. God met me there, just as He met Hagar. Great writing, Diana!