Christianity is far more than a belief system or a tradition which governs behaviour: it is a complete transformation of the person from within by the indwelling power of God. A person born again through faith in Jesus is empowered to live life from a new perspective. Instead of self being our central point of focus, a love for God and others governs our thoughts, attitudes, words, and deeds. Things we naturally used to do without thinking brings conviction from the Holy Spirit. We have an new desire to feed on the truth of the Bible and our spiritual appetites change. The transformation God works within us is both immediate and continual. We are born again as new creations in Christ yet there is a path to maturity we must intentionally embrace through obedience to God.
Hagar the Egyptian is a wonderful example of God's grace. Though she was a Gentile, God revealed Himself to her and spoke kindly to her. After she ran away from Sarai the LORD told her to return to her mistress. He told her the baby she carried should be named Ishmael which means, "God will hear." She was so impacted by the divine interaction she called the spring of water where she met with the Angel of the LORD "You are the God who sees" (Genesis 16:13). All God said came to pass. The fact her son was named according to the word of the Angel of the LORD suggests she believed His promise to multiply her seed beyond count. When Ishmael was a teen, they experienced a great trial. One morning Abraham gave her some bread and water and sent them away for good. Though God had commanded Abraham to do so, it must have been a frightful proposition for Hagar and Ishmael to be sent away. Where could they go? They ended up wandering in the wilderness until their water ran out.
About 17 years earlier, Hagar had been personally met by the God who hears and sees. Yet in her desperate circumstance it seems she forgot about Him. She was so consumed in grief for her dying son she did not even think to pray. She placed her son under a shrub as he cried because of thirst, and she moved a distance away from Ishmael because she couldn't bear the though of watching him die. She sobbed loudly. Now this is a terrible situation to think about, much less experience. Though Hagar forgot about God, He graciously heard and saw her plight. Genesis 21:17-19 reads, "And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation." 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink." Blinded by fear, Hagar forgot the God who would never forget her. God graciously opened her eyes and she saw a well of water nearby, and both she and her son were saved.
Think about God's initial question. How might you have responded in Hagar's situation if someone asked, "What ails you?" In bitterness and anger I might have answered with shock: "What ails me? Are you serious? I've just been sent away from my home for good, I don't know where I am in this wilderness, I don't know where I am going, we are out of water, my son is dying, and all hope is lost! You have no idea what I'm going through. Shows what you know asking me, 'What ails you?'" That sort of answer reveals a need for a change of perspective. It was not just anyone asking the question, but the God who hears and sees. In light of God's grace, goodness, and power, Hagar's perceived problems were not a problem. Wasn't God the One who created life, caused Hagar to conceive Ishmael, and knew their needs? Hadn't He given her the promise that He would make of Ishmael a great nation? If Hagar would have remembered the God who sees and hears, recalled to mind the promises He had made concerning her son, and trusted God rather than despair, nothing could have ailed Hagar - even lost in a wilderness without water.
For those who trust in God, remembering who God is and all He has done brings refreshment to our souls like water to a those parched in a dry land. As blood-bought children of the Most High God, we do not need to be afraid. We have assurance of great promises through God's Word. We have access through the Holy Spirit to the Living God who loves us and does everything. Psalm 46:1-5 provides this God-centred perspective: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn." It may seem God delays to help us, but in His wisdom He refines our faith. Your world might be torn apart, but God will hold you together. Tears may flow during the night, but joy comes in the morning. Just at the break of dawn God will send help according to His promise for He has said, "I will never leave or forsake you."
Hagar the Egyptian is a wonderful example of God's grace. Though she was a Gentile, God revealed Himself to her and spoke kindly to her. After she ran away from Sarai the LORD told her to return to her mistress. He told her the baby she carried should be named Ishmael which means, "God will hear." She was so impacted by the divine interaction she called the spring of water where she met with the Angel of the LORD "You are the God who sees" (Genesis 16:13). All God said came to pass. The fact her son was named according to the word of the Angel of the LORD suggests she believed His promise to multiply her seed beyond count. When Ishmael was a teen, they experienced a great trial. One morning Abraham gave her some bread and water and sent them away for good. Though God had commanded Abraham to do so, it must have been a frightful proposition for Hagar and Ishmael to be sent away. Where could they go? They ended up wandering in the wilderness until their water ran out.
About 17 years earlier, Hagar had been personally met by the God who hears and sees. Yet in her desperate circumstance it seems she forgot about Him. She was so consumed in grief for her dying son she did not even think to pray. She placed her son under a shrub as he cried because of thirst, and she moved a distance away from Ishmael because she couldn't bear the though of watching him die. She sobbed loudly. Now this is a terrible situation to think about, much less experience. Though Hagar forgot about God, He graciously heard and saw her plight. Genesis 21:17-19 reads, "And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad and hold him with your hand, for I will make him a great nation." 19 Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the lad a drink." Blinded by fear, Hagar forgot the God who would never forget her. God graciously opened her eyes and she saw a well of water nearby, and both she and her son were saved.
Think about God's initial question. How might you have responded in Hagar's situation if someone asked, "What ails you?" In bitterness and anger I might have answered with shock: "What ails me? Are you serious? I've just been sent away from my home for good, I don't know where I am in this wilderness, I don't know where I am going, we are out of water, my son is dying, and all hope is lost! You have no idea what I'm going through. Shows what you know asking me, 'What ails you?'" That sort of answer reveals a need for a change of perspective. It was not just anyone asking the question, but the God who hears and sees. In light of God's grace, goodness, and power, Hagar's perceived problems were not a problem. Wasn't God the One who created life, caused Hagar to conceive Ishmael, and knew their needs? Hadn't He given her the promise that He would make of Ishmael a great nation? If Hagar would have remembered the God who sees and hears, recalled to mind the promises He had made concerning her son, and trusted God rather than despair, nothing could have ailed Hagar - even lost in a wilderness without water.
For those who trust in God, remembering who God is and all He has done brings refreshment to our souls like water to a those parched in a dry land. As blood-bought children of the Most High God, we do not need to be afraid. We have assurance of great promises through God's Word. We have access through the Holy Spirit to the Living God who loves us and does everything. Psalm 46:1-5 provides this God-centred perspective: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn." It may seem God delays to help us, but in His wisdom He refines our faith. Your world might be torn apart, but God will hold you together. Tears may flow during the night, but joy comes in the morning. Just at the break of dawn God will send help according to His promise for He has said, "I will never leave or forsake you."
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