The Cry

” The Cry God Hears. ”

When we don’t see results when we pray or see change in the lives of those we intercede for, we might think God doesn’t hear us. What we should always remember is that God is an eternal Spirit, and He is not as interested in the moment as He is in eternity. His plans go far beyond ours, with a much greater purpose for a much better outcome. When bad things happen, bad choices are made, and there seems to be no hope, it is possible to lose sight of God’s love and mercies, which are new every day. When we consider the life of Hagar, Sarah’s slave girl, we might tend to only see her as part of Sarah and Abraham’s plan to force God’s Hand. In doing so, we might overlook the fact that God can use everything and anyone to bring about His will.

Hagar was only a slave whose life circumstances did not give her much hope. She was treated harshly by Sarah. And if not for Sarah’s decision to give her to Abraham as a concubine, she might never have been able to have children. When everything seemed hopeless for Hagar, God stepped in and turned what seemed like certain death for her and her son into deliverance. It was Sarah’s rejection of her that, in the end, brought about her freedom. Had she stayed where she was, in what seemed to be safety, she never would have risen above the position of hated concubine.

When Sarah insisted that she be sent away, God was on Sarah’s side because He had better plans for Hagar, which she could not see. When her water ran out, which was representative of life, she abandoned her son, who was her promise. She began to cry out to God, perhaps more in anger than in faith. But God heard another voice. The Bible says that, “God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy from where he is (resting!” (Genesis 21:17 AMP). God did not forget Hagar, or the promise He had for her, even if she was unaware of God’s plan.

The Angel told her to get up, take the boy by the hand, and help him because a great nation would come from him. “Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the [empty] skin with water and gave the boy a drink” (Genesis 21:19 AMP). It was an audible cry that elicited a response from heaven. Not only did Hagar receive a promise from God, but her eyes were opened so she could see. The water was representative of the promise that God gave her, but also of the spiritual insight, which let her know God saw her where she was, even though she seemed to be wandering in a dry, thirsty, and barren land. The All Knowing, Eternal, One, still hears and sees us, no matter where we are.