Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her authority. I will greatly multiply your descendants,” the angel of the LORD added, “so that they will be too numerous to count.”
Into the Text
Sarah was barren, so she used her Egyptian servant Hagar as a pawn. Rather than trust God’s timing, Sarah thought she could bring about God’s will herself.
Hagar gave birth to a son. Sarah quickly despised and mistreated her, so Hagar ran away. But God was with her. He met her in her heartbreak and isolation and provided for her in incredible ways. In fact, Hagar was the only person in the Bible to give God a name. She called Him El Roi, or “the God who sees me.” Hagar proclaimed who God was in response to the personal and intimate care He gave to her.
God didn’t only meet her and see her, He gave her a command, “return to your mistress and submit to her authority.” That’s probably the last thing Hagar wanted to do. Humbling ourselves is hard enough, but submitting ourselves to the authority of someone who is treating us harshly is nearly impossible. But Hagar obeyed God. How could she do it?
Simply put, Hagar knew God was good. When we encounter the loving and intimate care of our Heavenly Father, we are changed. Joy supersedes discouragement. Hope overshadows fear. Circumstances are put into the right perspective because we know the One who controls our circumstances. Let’s know God intimately so that we can fearlessly obey Him anywhere He leads.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for meeting me in heartbreak and isolation and never leaving me or forsaking me. May I feel your presence, love, and care. Help me to fearlessly obey your leading wherever it may take me. Amen.