When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. 17 And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is.
There is an odd contentment that overtakes a person when all is lost. The acceptance of their lot is a sad thing to behold. The inevitable end of Abraham’s unfortunate son Ishmael’s life was too much for Hagar to look at. Hagar did not reckon on God’s sovereignty and mercy, even on the son he had not chosen for the promise.
Just because we have not had the life we wanted does not mean that God has no plan for us. It simply means he has another plan than the one we would have chosen. Looking back on my life, I cannot regret one bump in the road because that road led to salvation. I did not deserve salvation any more than Isaac, who did not deserve it any more than Ishmael. God chooses who he chooses and he chooses the road for us as well. This is comforting when we come to a fork and do not know where to go. We go to Jesus.
Dear Lord, thank you for the way, the truth, and the life in Christ Jesus. Help us to look to him for directions today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church