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Daily Devotions

Genesis

Genesis 
Day 
Day 126

"He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear; And will trust the Lord." Psalm 40:3

Text: Genesis 21:1-34

A FITTING END

As Hagar roused herself to go to Ishmael’s help, something else happened. Help was far nearer than she had realized! She had despaired when the water ran out! In her grief and despair she had just about collapsed! Hearing the voice of the Angel of God brought renewed faith and hope. She would not lie down and die! As long as she had breath she would battle on!

“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 to drink. And God was with the lad;
and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and became
an archer. He dwelt in the wilderness of Paran;
and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.”

GENESIS 21:19-21

“Then God opened her eyes…”

The well was always there. Hagar in her sorrow had failed to notice it! Her new-found courage caused her to be more alert and positive in her outlook! Times were going to be tough, but she determined that she would survive! She had everything to live for! Her son was worth everything to her!

“And God was with the lad…”

There was every reason to believe that things would turn out well! The most important thing to know and to believe with all her heart was the fact that God was with them, and with Ishmael in particular! With God helping the young man, he would surely succeed in life.

“And he grew… and became an archer…”

How did Ishmael survive in the wilderness? He would have to depend on his wits to survive. He would need survival skills to live in the wilderness! Ishmael decided that he would be an archer. He would have to possess initiative, a good eye, a steady hand, a brave heart and lots more! It was obvious that it was God who was helping him cultivate vital survival skills! If he could survive in the wilderness, he could survive anywhere! God would do his part in fulfilling what was promised. The young lad Ishmael must do his part in growing up well!

“And his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt”

The saga of Hagar and Ishmael ended on this note. They had survived in the wilderness. Ishmael had grown up to become an archer. Years had passed and soon it was time for Ishmael to be married! His starting of a family would be another step forward towards the fulfillment of the promise of the Angel of God – that he would become a mighty nation! God’s hand of mercy was outstretched firmly to Ishmael indeed!