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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 123

"Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me." Psalm 40:13

Text: Genesis 21:1-34

A PAINFUL DECISION

How Abraham must have grieved in his heart as he pondered over the dilemma he found himself in! He had no one to blame, but himself. If only he had exercised more faith. If only he had fathomed God’s promise better, he would then not have to take this painful decision. But God had brought a special word of comfort to his heart! He must not fail the Lord by more disobedience. No matter how tough the decision may have appeared to him, he must nevertheless seek to fulfill what God had instructed him to do.

“So Abraham rose early in the morning,
and took bread and a skin of water;
and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it
and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away.
Then she departed and wandered in the
wilderness of Beersheba.”

GENESIS 21:14

“Early in the Morning”

It was out of kindness of heart that Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away “early in the morning”. They could make good progress before the hot sun came up in the afternoon. The early morning hours were the best for traveling.

“Bread and a skin of water”

Abraham personally saw to it that Hagar and Ishmael would have some provision along the way. He must exercise his faith and trust in the Lord, that He would look after them as He promised!

“Putting it on her shoulder”

This was the last tender act that Abraham would show to Hagar. She did not express resentment of any kind. There was unspoken gratitude for the bread and the water from her master Abraham. (Sarah may not have been so kind).

“She departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba”

Hagar had no choice. She had tried to run away before. She was urged to return to Abraham’s household by The Angel of the Lord. She would have to exercise all the faith she could muster to trust that this Angel of the Lord would continue to provide for her! Surely, He must know what has happened in her life! Would He come to her rescue again? She would need all the encouragement and help she could get as she trekked into the “wilderness of Beersheba”.


NOTHING BUT FAITH LEFT

Hagar must have reflected on her lot in life. She was probably a slave all her life. For just a little while, she experienced some love and kindness. Suddenly that was taken away too! All she had was her faith in the Angel of the Lord. She would have to trust that her faith in Him would be sufficient for all that lay ahead of her!