Hope for Hopeless 2

In the old testament in the book of Genesis Chapter 21 we read about a woman named Hagar. She was the maid servant of Sarah the wife of Abraham. When Sarah found herself barren, she thought of having a child through her maid servant Hagar. Abraham Slept with Hagar and she became pregnant and born a child for Abraham. From the position of a maid servant she elevated as the mother of the child of Abraham. Abraham was a wealthy man. Hagar was very happy. She enjoyed a good position in the Abraham's house.

When things were going well, one fine day she found that her mistress Sahara is pregnant. Hagar thought since she born a child for Abraham there won't be any problem in her position in the house of Abraham. But thing went beyond their control. Sarah insisted to throw away Hagar and her child. Abraham obliged her demand. Now Hagar and her child are in the desert.

She never thought that Abraham act like this. She thought Abraham will share some wealth and he will provide some money and shelter for his first born child. She could live away from Sarah. To her dismay, Abraham spared a little water and few breads only.

Helpless Hagar with her young child was wandering in the wilderness of Beersheba. Now all her hope were shattered. She doesn't know what to do, where to go or who will help her. While wandering in the wilderness, she found that the water she brought with her used up.

Her future seemed to be bleak. No hope, No help. Only wild animals and hot sand-filled desert. Her husband, a wealthy man is turned his face against her. Her friends who were living with her in the house of Abraham are now better off than she. She is now facing the darkest reality of life. She thought about her child, who should live in a good house while enjoying all the goodness of a wealthy man, now crying for a drop of water.

She could not control herself. She put her son under a shrub and went off and sat down nearby about a bowshot away, she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." As she sat there nearby She lifted her voice and wept. She was expecting the death of her child. She was destitute, helpless and hopeless.

When everything went out of control, God intervened. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. God was with the boy as he grew up. He lived in the desert and became an archer. While he was living in the Desert of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from Egypt.

Look how God turned in a split of second a hopeless situation into a hope full situation. She found a new life. A new promise "your son will become a nation". That changed her life. She found meaning and purpose in her life. That gave here strength to struggle with her life. Many times we all are gone through such hopeless and helpless situations. Remember that, there is one who looks at us with a kind and merciful heart. Who sees your weeping heart. He will not leave you alone. He will take care of everything. Just leave all your cares to thy hand. He has a message for you "Do not be afraid" There is hope for each one of us.

Hope for hopeless - 1

Genesis Chapter 16 we see how Sarai, Abram's wife, gave Hagar the Egyptian slave to Abram for having a child. No women will ever allow her slave girl to sleep with her husband. What prompted Sarai to do such an act?

Sarai after living many years with Abram doubted Abram's ability to produce a child. At the same time, Abram doubted the ability of Sarai for bearing a child.

So Sarai decided to test the ability of Abram by allowing the slave girl to sleep with Abram. Sarai was not sure about the ability of Abram. That is why she said: “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

See the word "perhaps" in her statement. She was not sure about the ability of Abram. That was a challenge by Sarai. Abram accepted the challenge. He agreed to what Sarai said. So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife. He slept with Hagar, and she conceived. When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.

Now, Hagar knew why she was given to Abram as his wife. It was because of the doubt of Sarai. Hagar also understood that Sarai is of no use and began to despise her mistress. It was a humbling as well as an embarrassing situation for Sarai. She protested.

Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering. I put my slave in your arms, and now that she knows that she is pregnant, she despises me. May the Lord judge between you and me.”

Sarai is accusing Abram of the situation. See how a woman can change as per the situation. She was the one initiated to give her Egyptian slave as a wife to Abram. When thing went out of control she is accusing Abram of the situation. Abram, who proved his ability to produce a child, happily replied to Sarai.

“Your slave is in your hands, ” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

The situation could have been opposite if Hagar failed to conceive a child for Abram. When you are in doubt, do not take hasty steps to prove yourself. Just like Sarai did. We may end up in trouble. Sarai brought trouble for herself by giving her maid to her husband. Anyway, Abram is happy now. He proved that he is worthy and able to produce decedents. The uncertainties and confusion removed. It is evident that Sarai is not able to conceive a child. It is a painful reality for Sarai.

Often times we are like Sarai. We want to prove ourselves worthy. When the test comes we find ourselves in trouble. So it is better for us to be humble and wait for the time of God. God is there. He is worthy to fulfill his promises. Do not go after our own thoughts or imaginations. When the right time comes, He will do wonders in our life.