In today's first reading, Gen 21: 5, 8-20a, Sarah demands that Abraham "[d]rive out that slave [Hagar] and her son [Ishmael]. No son of that slave," she declares, "is going to share the inheritance with my son Isaac!" Abraham is upset, as Ishmael is as much his son as Isaac. But God makes it clear to Abraham that he is to listen to his wife Sarah and give her what she wants and He will bless Ishmael and make of him a great nation, also. Both Isaac and Ishmael, God assures Abraham, will be blessed by the Almighty. So, the next morning he sends Hagar and Ishmael packing, out into the desert they go! When Hagar and Ishmael run out of water and death is likely--no one can survive in the desert without water--God intervenes. God's messenger hears Ishmael crying and calls Hagar from heaven: "'What is the matter, Hagar?Don't be afraid' God has heard the boy's cry in this plight of his. Arise, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand; for I will make of him a great nation.' Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and then let the boy drink.God was with the boy as he grew."
What might we learn from this passage? Number 1: God takes care of everyone! Number 2: There are situations that blow our minds, that make no sense to us, but God shows us the way to sanity--trust Him! Number 3: When we have no out, God is the "in." God watches over us and knows when His intervention is paramount to our survival! In other words, God has our backs, so to speak! I believe that! What about you?
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