I recently read the account of Sarai, Abram, and Hagar in Genesis 16. I know this story and I’ve read this story many times. But these verses encouraged me today.
7The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.
8 The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied.
9 The angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”
10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”
11 And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress.
12 This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.”
13 Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”
14 So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.
15 So Hagar gave Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael.
Here are some promises I was reminded of while reading this passage.
Even when we are running away, God pursues us.
Even when we find ourselves in the bleakest of circumstances, God encourages us and pours His hope into our lives and our situations.
Even when it seems like no one else can, God hears us and God sees us.
I don’t know what you might be going through today. I don’t know what wilderness you might be in the midst of. I don’t know how thirsty and worn out you might be feeling today… But let me encourage you to go to the well of the Living One. The One who see you. The One who hears you. Let His Truth wash over you today.
Beautiful, needed truths, Eileen: “Even when we are running away, God pursues us.
Even when we find ourselves in the bleakest of circumstances, God encourages us and pours His hope into our lives and our situations.
Even when it seems like no one else can, God hears us and God sees us.”
Thank you.
Caroline, a reminder I need everyday!
Thank you Eileen. I’m reading through the Bible and I just recently read this passage as well.
I liked the fact that God showed himself to her for the first time, in her time of need.
But I especially liked the fact that the name of the place was changed to the “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.
To me it is another instance of naming a place or in some instances, marking a place with stones so that we will not forget. A way to always remember.
God knew we would forget and used this as a way for his people to remember.
Loved this.
Janet, I agree. Love how God uses these stones to remind us of how much He cares for us!
This is a beautiful post and a great reminder. I just recently read that part of Genesis!
Thanks, Katie. Love how when we read through His Word truth continues to unfold!
Wow. What a great word and so encouraging. I have had quite a rough morning, so thank you so much for sharing:)
(I found this through Proverbs 31 Ministrie’s post of Facebook)
Stephanie, Thank you so much for stopping by. I am so glad it encouraged you too!
I so needed this reminder… as I continue to pray for many answered prayers, life’s circumstances continue to leave me weary (especially over the last few weeks)… parched in my own wilderness! God has been so faithful to me and has blessed me “immeasurably more than all I could ask or imagine”… although it has not been easy. There are still many days of exhaustion, tears and just “life”. I will continue to go to His well! I know He hears me… I know He sees! Thank you! 🙂
Tara, thank you so much for sharing. Love that even though we sometimes find ourselves in the wilderness we can look back and see His hand of faithfulness leading us and reassuring us. Thanks for stopping by, Tara!