I’m still reading from Genesis and today I read chapters 20-24. A LOT happened with Abraham in these chapters but the part that stuck out with me was Hagar being cast out into the wilderness with her son basically because of Sarah’s jealousy of her. Hagar (the servant) bore Abraham’s son Ishmael but now that Sarah (wife) had a child with Abraham, Sarah saw her as a threat.

So wandering around in the wilderness with her son, Hagar was desperate. Her son was crying, starving, and dying from dehydration and she wept loudly. She was out of options and felt hopeless. Her ONLY option was to cry out to God for his mercy.

I cried when I read this passage. It is amazing how the Bible comes to life when you really get into it. I have heard this story many times but I never really HEARD it. When I read it today I put myself in Hagar’s shoes and I was reminded of how I felt in back in July 2013 when I found myself alone living in a travel trailer when my husband walked out. And more recently December 2016 when I found myself homeless again when my last relationship ended abruptly. I cannot recall ever being more desperate for God in my life than those two specific times.

Hagar’s situation was rock bottom but God answered. God heard the boy crying and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy crying from the place where he is. Get up, help the boy up, and grasp his hand, for I will make him a great nation.”  Then God opens her eyes, and she saw a well… Genesis 21:17-19

He quenched their thirst and answered her desperate pleas…even in the wilderness.

Oh how I have been there! God answered me when I was at my lowest point in 2013 as I rode my bike through the Fuguki trees in Okinawa. He found me in the wilderness and he revived my soul. When I found myself at an extreme low point again one year ago…I was desperate but I had faith that I would get through it because I knew what he had already done for me three years before.

I was talking to a friend last week who is not a believer. She asked me why I started going back to church when I explained that I had strayed away in my 20’s and 30’s. My response was that I NEEDED him. God sees everything and he answers when we call.

I am thankful for the wilderness.

Blessings,

Stacey ~ iamalive