Seventh Day Baptist
Christian Education Council
PO BOX 1678
Janesville, WI 53547
—Genesis 21:14-16
by: Angie Osborn.
There is not a lot of happy news in this passage. Hagar is at rock bottom. She has no where to go, no one to turn to, and she is convinced that she and Ishmael will die. Her situation seems absolutely hopeless. Although everything seems to be going against Hagar, God assured Abraham that he would watch over her and Ishmael. Sometimes we hit “rock bottom.” Life seems to trample over us. At times, it is easier to give up and “wait for death” than it is to fight back. When we feel that way, there is no where to look but up—up to the God of the universe. He does not give up, he has conquered death, and he has a plan and purpose! “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim; in the light of his glory and grace” (Helen H. Lemuel, 1922, hymn is in public domain).