Can You hear me?
Genesis 21:17-19, “And God heard the lad crying, and the Angel of God called to Hagar from heaven; and said to her, ‘What is the matter with you, Hagar?’ Do not fear for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. . . 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 a drink.”
This is the story of Ishmael. After Isaac was born to Sarah, she became jealous of Ishmael; and demanded that Isaac get rid of his illegitimate son and his mother. (Even though it was Sarah’s idea that Abraham father the child through her servant.) Eventually Abraham agreed to do what Sarah asked, and he loaded a donkey with supplies, and sent Hagar and Ishmael away.
After Hagar and Ishmael had traveled some ways their water ran out. Hagar placed Ishmael under a bush, and she walked away thinking that they would both die of dehydration, but God heard the boy crying; and the Angel of God (some say that this was Jesus in the Spirit) called to Hagar. God showed her some water, and she immediately gave some to the boy to drink, and be refreshed.
Even though Abraham and Hagar had conceived Ishmael in direct violation of God’s will God provided for Ishmael in his time of need. God was so close to Ishmael that He could hear his cries. That should bring comfort to us all in knowing that God is always there to listen to when as we cry out to Him.
My niece, Kelly, is living proof that God hears our prayers. When Kelly was born she had many medical problems, and the doctors said that she would probably not live past 3 or 4 years old. That was 15 years ago! God hears his children when they cry out. I’m going to age myself here, but when I was a kid there was a TV commercial on for brokerage company EF Hutton, and in that commercial they said, “When EF Hutton talks people listen!” Well when God’s children talk He listens, and He acts. It may not be as fast as you like, but He’s never too slow. He’s always an on time God! II Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow about His promise as some count slowness…”
There is one more example of this that I want to look at today. In Exodus 3:7 the Lord says, “…I have surely seen the affliction of My people and given heed to their cry…” God heard the children of Israel crying out from Egyptian bondage, and He sent Moses to deliver them. I can hear some of you now; yeah, but they were there for 400 years. I don’t want to be in my trouble for 400 years. Well, I have good news for you; you’re going to be dead long before then, and the Bible says that to be absent from the body (dead) is to be present with the Lord. So, if you are saved you’re in a win-win situation!
I’m not trying to make light of any physical pain or ailments you may have, but they pale in comparison to the glories that await us. Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glories that await us.”-Romans 8:18 I live everyday with pains and inability’s, but they mean nothing when I think about my future.
Father, I thank You for being so close to me that You can hear me sobbing in the dark, and I ask that you would always help me to remember that You will one day soon turn my tears of sorrow into shouts of joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Yes, You Can Ministry 