July 21, 2014
When God Shows Up, Don’t Forget It
Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water’ (Genesis 21:19, NIV).
Friend to Friend
In my last devotion, we looked at Hagar and how God spoke to her in her deepest time of need. Let’s visit that one more time, because Hagar, like you and me, forgot about her encounter with God.
When Hagar encountered God the first time, she fell on her face and gave God the name El Roi, the God who Sees Me “I have now seen the One who sees me,” she cried. She had heard God. She had seen God. More importantly, God had seen Hagar. God had heard Hagar.
Hagar returned to her mistress, gave birth to a son, and placed him into Abram’s arms. But sixteen years later, God was true to His word, and Sarai gave birth to a son of her own. (God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah.) When Abraham was ninety-nine years old and Sarah ninety, with a womb that was as good as dead, she birthed a bouncing baby boy whom they named Isaac. But rather than diminish Sarah’s angst toward Hagar, the tension between the two boys stoked the fire of jealousy into full blaze.
On the day of Isaac’s weaning party, Sarah demanded that Hagar and her son, Ishmael, be sent away for good. After wandering around in the desert, after their water supply had dried up, after giving up all hope, Hagar placed Ishmael under a tree to die. He cried. She cried. God heard.
“What is the matter, Hagar?” the angel said. “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” (Genesis 21:19).
This verse catches my breath every time. The water was there all the time, but she didn’t see it. Not until God opened her eyes did the life-giving drink come into focus.
Sometimes, I feel just like her. Not so much in that I have ever truly been abused, but I have been tossed away, abandoned, and used. And I have run. And God has rescued.
I’m also like Hagar in another way. I forget. God comes to me in my running away. He sees me. He notices me. I know He sees me. I call him El Roi and all is well. But time passes, as sixteen years passed for Hagar, and I forget. I forget what He has done for me, what He has said to me, what He has meant to me. I forget. I close my eyes and wander about thirsty again. I give up. I lay my hopes and dreams under a tree and walk away for them to die.
“What is the matter, Sharon? Do not be afraid; God has heard your crying.” And God woos me back once again. He opens my eyes to the well of living water that has been there all along.
Today, remember. Remember who God is. He will do what He said He will do. He is El Roi, the God who sees me. He is the God who sees you. And that is something we should never forget.
Let’s Pray
Lord, I am so sorry that I have forgotten the many ways You have blessed me, the many times You have rescued me, the many times You have given me moments of Sudden Glory when You’ve made Your presence known. Open my eyes, Lord. Open my eyes to see Your well of goodness right in front of me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Go back and read the story of Hagar in Genesis 21. Zoom in on verse 19 “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” The well was there all along. She just didn’t see it. Today, pray that God will open your eyes to His provision and protection in your life.
Hagar went and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink” (Genesis 21:19). When I open my eyes to see the well of God’s provision, protection, and persistent pursuit of my heart, it is never for me alone. He then calls me to fill my skin, and give others a drink. Is there someone He is calling you to refresh today?
More from the Girlfriends
I don’t know about you, but one of the greatest longings of my heart is to experience God’s presence and working in my life on a daily basis. I call that experiencing moments of Sudden Glory that soothe the glory ache in my heart. If you long for more in your relationship with Jesus, then check out my book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More. On my website, you can watch videos, download a free chapter, and even tell about your moments of sudden glory. I hope you’ll stop by for a visit. And if you want to learn more about the names of God, check out our Girlfriends in God book, Knowing God by Name. The better you know Him, the more you will trust Him.
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