SEEING THE SOLUTION
When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears. But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.” Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.
Genesis 21:15-19 (NLT)
The Old Testament book of Genesis contains the story of how God promised Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. Abraham and his wife Sarah were very old and had no children, so Sarah devised a plan for Abraham to have a child through her servant Hagar. Abraham had relations with Hagar, and they had a son named Ishmael. Later, God gave Abraham and Sarah a son named Isaac. Sarah decided that she wanted Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael because Sarah would not have her son Isaac split the inheritance with Ishmael. Abraham had to send Hagar away, along with her son Ishmael, into the desert to fend for themselves.
As Hagar despaired, God opened her eyes to the solution He had provided: a well full of water. This saved Hagar and Ishmael’s lives, and he also became the father of many nations.
Hagar had the solution to her problems right in front of her – this well of water - but she couldn’t see it until God opened her eyes when she cried out to Him.
Possibly, a problem in your life is causing you to think, There’s no way out of this. I don’t know what to do. Cry out to God, look into His Word, and ask Him to show you what to do. Trust the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to His solution.
I can see what God wants me to see when I trust the Holy Spirit in me.
APPLICATION: Identify an issue that is causing you concern. Tell it to God’s Spirit and ask Him to show you the steps He would have you take.
PRAYER: Father, you see the situation I’m facing. (Name the situation) I trust you. I’m asking you to guide me, provide me with the steps to take, and give me the strength to follow your guidance.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?