Ishmael and Hagar in the Wilderness

And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. And the water was spent in the bottle, and she cast the child under one of the shrubs. And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him in thine hand; for I will make him a great nation. And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer. Genesis 21:14-20

Steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12

God has given approval to send Ishmael and Hagar away with almost nothing. It looks as though they will die in the wilderness but when Hagar gives up on life God steps in to help them. God has promised to make him a great nation, for Abraham’s sake and what He promises He will follow through with. God rescues them and establishes them.

Prayer for Today: God, we thank You that when You promise something You will do it. Help us to hold on to You even when it looks like we will die for obeying You. Help us to hold on to You by faith and even though we might die yet You are there to watch over us and to help us to accomplish Your holy will. Thank You that we can have an experience with You like Abraham had.