Never Abandoned

Never Abandoned

Hagar

Read: Genesis 21:8-21

Ashley stared at the note in her hand, trying to comprehend the words. She had fallen head over heels for Todd even though he was still legally married. Soon he moved into her apartment. Whenever Ashley asked about the lengthy divorce proceedings, Todd reassured her and talked of their future life together. Now Ashley had come home to find a note informing her that he had decided to reunite with his wife—and wanted nothing to do with the two-month-old baby girl beside her, crying to be fed.

Hagar also felt abandoned and hopeless. During the feast to celebrate Isaac’s weaning, Hagar’s teenage son had mocked Isaac. Abraham’s wife Sarah had demanded that Abraham get rid of his concubine and her son. Since Isaac was the son through whom God’s covenant with Abraham would be fulfilled, God approved the separation, but he didn’t forsake Hagar and Ishmael.

Abraham sent Hagar away with some food and a container of water. She and Ishmael wandered aimlessly in the wilderness until the water ran out, and then Hagar separated herself from her son. She couldn’t bear the anguish of watching him die. But the same God who instructed Hagar to name her son Ishmael (“God hears”) heard his cries. The God whom Hagar called “the One who sees me” (16:13) opened her eyes to see a well of water. God continued to be with her son as he grew up and fathered a great nation of people.

Sometimes we feel abandoned by the very people who should love and protect us. Whether we’re a single parent raising children with no help or estranged from someone with whom we once had a close relationship, it can be frightening. It may seem at times that no one on earth cares for us, but God hears our cries and sees our needs. He will protect and provide for us—whether we’re alone in our apartments or in the middle of a wilderness.

God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Hebrews 13:5