Genesis 16 shows just how wrong we are when we doubt God's ability and desire to hear us. It's the story of Hagar, the servant of Abraham's wife Sarah (who were at the time called Abram and Sarai). For those of you who don't know the story already, Sarah was unable to bear any children, so she gave her Egyptian maidservant Hagar to Abraham as his wife with the hopes of building a family through her. After Hagar discovered she was pregnant, she began to despise Sarah. Sarah in turn started to mistreat Hagar (I'm imagining an old school catfight here...), until finally Hagar fled into the desert. I have to admit I'm rooting for Hagar at this point. She's been abused and unfairly treated; the poor girl deserves a chance to escape.
But God had other plans for Hagar. While she was out in the desert, an angel of the Lord came to her and told her to go back and submit to her mistress Sarah. He promised that she would be blessed with more descendants than she could count. "Then the angel of the Lord said to her: 'You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery'" (Genesis 16:11). The word "Ishmael" literally means "God hears." Hagar wasn't crying out to God for help (at least, the passage doesn't specify that she was), but he heard her anyway. Hagar was then blessed for listening to God and obeying his command. She was trying to run from her problems, but only when she turned around and followed God's instructions did her situation improve.
Hey, wait a second...I think there's a lesson there. Perhaps the reason we don't think God hears us is because we're not willing to listen to Him. We are so focused on our wants and desires that we ignore what we know God is asking us to do. By turning back to God and obeying his commands we will be blessed. Remember that your relationship with God is a two-way street. Sometimes it's your turn to listen to what He wants you to do.
But God had other plans for Hagar. While she was out in the desert, an angel of the Lord came to her and told her to go back and submit to her mistress Sarah. He promised that she would be blessed with more descendants than she could count. "Then the angel of the Lord said to her: 'You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery'" (Genesis 16:11). The word "Ishmael" literally means "God hears." Hagar wasn't crying out to God for help (at least, the passage doesn't specify that she was), but he heard her anyway. Hagar was then blessed for listening to God and obeying his command. She was trying to run from her problems, but only when she turned around and followed God's instructions did her situation improve.
Hey, wait a second...I think there's a lesson there. Perhaps the reason we don't think God hears us is because we're not willing to listen to Him. We are so focused on our wants and desires that we ignore what we know God is asking us to do. By turning back to God and obeying his commands we will be blessed. Remember that your relationship with God is a two-way street. Sometimes it's your turn to listen to what He wants you to do.
Like he heard Hagar, God will hear you.
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