August 12, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: ‘You are the God who sees me,’ for she said, ‘I have now seen the One who sees me.^‘ That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi; it is still there, between Kadesh and Bered. So, Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael, God hears, to the son she had borne.’” (Genesis 16.13-15)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Do you think that Abram regretted what he allowed Sarai to do to Hagar? When Hagar left after being abused by Sarai, did Abram just let it pass and let her go? Or did Abram, as the father of the prodigal in the gospel of Luke, never lose sight of who was gone and lifted them up in prayer; the father his son. In the heart of the storyteller, I can easily see a connection. There is a sense of patient care and trust in God. In the story of the Prodigal, the son comes to his senses when all else is lost. We do not hear other voices speaking truth to him that would lead him back to his father. In the story of Hagar, we do not see a message of repentance and redemption from any of the three main characters- Abram, Sarai and Hagar. We do, however, hear two very important perspectives that lend themselves to a truth that is important for all of God’s children. God is a God who sees and listens. God is not simply a God who is aware. God is a God of action and blessing. His word is his bond. He cannot violate the confines of the Law. He will not operate beyond the confines of the Law. To do so is to act without true love.

I have to believe that Abram acted in love as well. He loved Sarai. He did what he could to please her. He went along with her plan to give Abram the child she could not. He gave her permission to act upon her regret and hurt feelings which were the consequence of doing what she should not have in the first place. As to the first, Hagar conceived a child and by that demonstrated that Sarai and not Abram was “at fault,” if “at fault” would even apply to something that could not be changed by her. Did Hagar have a haughty spirit and flaunted her advantage over Sarai? Did Sarai believe that Abram would forsake her, both in favor of taking Hagar as his wife and then not defending her honor in the community? As to the second, Sarai sent Hagar away. Sarai made Hagar the scapegoat. Sarai shamed Hagar in this way making her the problem. Abram had to allow it because he gave her the authority to do so. Yet, Abram loved the baby that was in Hagar’s womb. It was a part of him which he would not have otherwise except to take another wife. I have to believe that Abram called out to God for mercy as a blessing on Hagar and the baby in her womb. God, the Good Shepherd, sought out the one and found her. God “saw” her and recognized her plight. God “heard” Abram and in compassion saved her. He saved the baby as well.

Mighty ones of God, God sees us and hears us. God is faithful to deliver us by His promise to do so. He is not a distant God. He is a God who is near. We hear the words of Jesus declaring “the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you.” It is Jesus who said to His disciples, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father as the Father and I are one.” We hear the angels sing over the shepherds, “Immanuel, God with us.” There can be no doubt that in every place we are, there is God. He sees. He hears. He acts. We must respond accordingly and appropriately. We must trust Him in all things and not lean on our own understanding. Even as we read (see) and comprehend (hear) His Word, we must serve (act) as it so directs us. If we do not, then we must at least pay attention to the consequences of not doing so. Abram’s story exposes both of those realities: faith and faithless.

Let those with eyes to see, see.

Let those with ears to hear, listen.

Let those with faith, act in love.

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness endeavor, but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.