As the economy continues to drag and employment is limited at best, my heart sinks for everyone touched by this struggle. The news forecast seems bleak and hope seems far from us all. Speaking with a dear friend who spoke very honestly about her fears, she said she worried that God had forgotten about her and her family.
I simply didn’t know what to say to her, but I sat and listened to her fears. For her it seemed like her prayers were not being answered and she was being overlooked during one of her darkest hours. Yet, in those times we may be tempted to take matters into our own hands, being tired of struggling and praying without an answer from God.
I think of the story of Sarah and Hagar as an example of this. Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham, because Sarah wasn’t able to conceive after the Lord told Abraham, “To your offspring I will give this land” (Gen.12:7, NIV).
Sarah didn’t trust God that He would provide for her and walked ahead of God in the process, even after God promised her offspring. Hagar took matters into her own hands as well when she ran away from the problem. The Lord found her in the desert, a place that some today may feel they are trapped in. But the Lord answered her and she said, “You are the God who sees me”(Gen.16:13, NIV).
I know that running ahead of God, because I don’t see His answers to my prayer, isn’t the best way to serve God. But I am comforted as a woman to know that like Hagar, I am certain God sees me and I know I can put my trust in Him.
Memory Verse:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings of eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”
-Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)
Prayer Prompt:
“Lord, help us to trust in You and to wait on You through our difficult time. Help us also to walk with those who are struggling. Show us how to trust You and give us strength and the assurance that You see us and that You are with us. Please, help us to remember Your promises, including…”
Contributing Writer:
ML Michaels
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