How often do we find ourselves in hard situations and predicaments which threaten to steal our peace, joy and even our praise? We are all aware of the troubles which come with life. Job 5:7 states that man is born to trouble. We don’t have to go looking for it, because it finds us. No matter what the particular situation might be, because there are innumerable examples and instances we could consider, there is always an answer.
In my Bible reading today, I read about Abram, Sarai and Hagar. I won’t go into the story; I’m sure we’re probably all familiar from Sunday school stories. Hagar found herself in a mess and was attempting to run away from it all. That doesn’t seem very unusual, does it? If we could run away from our issues, we’d more often than not, just try to outrun them. Right? We’re all human! Nobody wants to endure the process.
Genesis 16:7 settled into my spirit though and stopped me in my tracks.
Hagar found herself running for her life in a wilderness called Shur. Shur represents a wall. How often in our life do we feel as if and even refer to the term, hitting a brick wall. I think we’d all agree it’s at that wall that we think about quitting. Am I right? Bricks can certainly be detrimental if we look at them in a certain way.
Isn’t it normal for us to feel all alone and even abandoned when things seem to be going haywire in our lives? The enemy of our soul wants us to feel that way because he knows we cannot stand alone. Ever. Our verse tells us Hagar wasn’t alone though; she was visited by the angel of the Lord who “found” her. That in itself was such a beautiful hope and blessing. We all long to be found, to be seen, don’t we? But wait, there’s more!
Not only did the angel find her, but he found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness. At first, I wondered why there’d be a fountain in the wilderness; and as I studied, I realized it wasn’t a man-made thing. It was a spring; a God designed oasis. I don’t know a lot about such matters but it seems to me that God had allowed Hagar to be found, and also provided refreshing and encouragement before she hit the proverbial brick wall of Shur. This screams of Gods sovereignty, grace and mercy.
Maybe it doesn’t seem very obvious at first when just scanning over verses for the sake of “daily Bible reading” checklists; but God reminded me today that no matter what life brings, or what situations seem to be drowning us or choking us out at the moment, He is always on the scene. He always sees us and will bring exactly what our weary souls need, right on time.
Not only did Hagar draw strength and refreshing from the fountain, a few verses later we see she changes her own view of it and calls it a well. She named that place Beer-lahai-roi which means “the well of him that lives and sees me.”
We can take heart in this story, knowing that God is ever faithful to know exactly where we are at any given moment, and He will bring clarity, new vision and hope to us.
When we leave this moment, we will do so calling it by a different name.
After we are refreshed we will call our situation and circumstances a blessing because of the things we have learned and gained along the way spiritually. God never wastes opportunities to change our outlook and grow us stronger in Him.
A God-designed oasis can spring up within our parched souls and become a well which we can continually draw from and bless others from too.
So, I ask us today, have we come face to face with what seems like a brick wall? Are we, like Hagar, running for our lives? Are we weary? Are we desperate to be found? To be seen? To receive refreshment? If so, I have good news. In verse 11, the angel told Hagar the Lord had heard her affliction...
And He hears yours, my friend. Hold on, help is on the way. Stop running, take a long look at that brick wall and know that our faithful God is always right on time and can rename and redeem anything. He desires to turn even this situation into a testimony and memorial - a refreshing well experience for you.
Be blessed and encouraged today ~