ON THE PORCH
NO GOOD DEED…
The first thing I thought this morning after reading the suggested verses from my devotional was, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Without thinking, I wrote it in the margin of my Bible, because in the pages of my Bible is where I record my feelings and meet with God.
I’m a little embarrassed about it now, but God knew my frustrations before I opened my eyes, or my pen touched the page. So, that comment will remain there in permanent ink to remind me that God, in the beautiful way only He can, showed up at 3 a.m. to speak to His discouraged daughter. He brought grace, mercy, and love with Him.
For whatever reason, Hagar’s story in Genesis 16 has always fascinated me. By worldly standards, she was a nobody, overlooked by everybody, just a piece of property that was taken when Abram and Sarai left Egypt. She had no say-so in what happened to her, and no voice to oppose the situation she was handed.
Each time I read this story, I come away with something to chew on and think about. I don’t know why that surprises me. After all, the Bible is the LIVING Word of God.
** For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Read Genesis 16 with me and notice what happens in the following verses.
Because Sarai was upset about not being able to conceive, she took matters into her own hands. Sarai devised a plan to use her slave to be a surrogate and bear her and Abram a child (vs. 2). Hagar’s health, feelings, or opinions were not taken into consideration. She was a piece of property to be used as Sarai and Abram saw fit. Sarai decided Hagar was the solution to their problem, and one domino led to the next. Her decision affected the world from that point on. We are still seeing the repercussions of Sarai’s wish.
Abram agreed to Sarai’s plan, and all hell broke loose in his home from there on out (vs. 2, 4). After laying with Hagar, and she conceived, the two women in his household went to war.
Hagar despised Sarai when she found out she was pregnant (vs. 4). I think Hagar started feeling superior to her master because she could attain something Sarai couldn’t. It’s hard to blame her, though, because she had been forced into this situation to begin with.
Sarai, in all her wifely wisdom, complained to and blamed Abram (vs. 5). She even suggested the LORD judge between herself and her husband.
The Cambridge Dictionary defines scorn as “a strong feeling that someone or something is of little or no worth and deserves no respect.” Sarai could have been the poster child for the quote, “Hell hath no fury like that of a woman scorned.” She had given away her husband, her nights, her dignity, and her respect. It seemed like a good idea at the time.
So, what did Abram do?? He washed his hands of Hagar (vs 6). He gave Sarai permission to do whatever she pleased with Hagar, and he would not interfere.
Hagar went from being in Abram’s arms and in his bed to being thrown to the wolves and outside his protection. I can see why she had some issues going on in her head and heart. After sleeping with the master, her status was returned to being a piece of property once again and she had no control over what happened to her.
Hagar fled and hid (vs. 6).
Genesis 16 was a no-win situation for Hagar, literally a lose-lose. She was an Egyptian slave, a nobody in the world she was living in. This is where God came in. Hagar’s world spun out of control, so she gave up, took off, and hid. This is where the beautiful part of the story began for me this morning. But God was still there…
1. God found Hagar — Even when she thought she was hidden, God searched her out. (vs. 7)
2. God called Hagar by name – This was the first time her name is spoken out loud instead of being called “my slave.” God gave Hagar her identity and value back as a person. (vs. 8)
3. God listened. He “heard her misery.” God listened to Hagar’s heart. She was danged if she did and danged if she didn’t. It was a no-win situation. (vs 8, 11)
4. God spoke. — He gave instructions for Hagar’s situation. God showed her His will and a way to move forward. It might not have been what she wanted, but He had a plan. (vs. 9)
5. God accepted worship. – He allowed Hagar, an Egyptian slave, a nobody in that culture, to assign Him, the God of the universe a name that is recorded for all history — “the God who sees me.” When no one else on earth cared about Hagar, God did. When Sarai mistreated her, and Abram gave his permission for the abuse to continue, God valued Hagar. She in return worshipped, and God accepted her gift of a new name. (vs. 13)
Hagar could have perished in the desert by the spring while hiding and not one person on earth would have missed her, but she didn’t. God searched her out to save her. She gave Him the name, “God sees me,” and He gave her a son with the name “God hears me.” God showed up.
This isn’t the end of her story. She ends up having another encounter with God in a later chapter of Genesis. Her time on earth never was wrapped up with a neat little bow. Hagar had a hard life, plain and simple, but God never left her. She had many more issues down the road, but God got right down in the mess with her. Even when men and women discarded her and threw her out, God still loved and took care of her.
Won’t He do the same for us??
When we find ourselves in no-win situations, God is still there.
When our whole world seems to be tilting on its axis, God is still there.
When life is truly out of control, God is still there.
When we just want to run away and hide, God is still there.
When we don’t know what tomorrow holds, God is still there.
I have literally read Hagar’s story hundreds of times, and every time God shows me something new.
**Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence? Psalm 139:7
GOD…
· God searches us out.
· God calls us by name.
· God listens to our hearts.
· God speaks and instructs us.
· God enjoys our worship.
** Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1
LORD, I thank You that I cannot hide from You. I thank You for always being willing to search for, value, listen to, and speak to me. Remind me what a privilege this is, and it should result in worship, what I was created for. When things get hard and I just want to run away and hide, reminds me of Hagar. You got down in the mess with her, loved her, reminded her she was Yours, and gently pulled her out of the mud and mire. Sometimes my attitude gets skewed, and it comes out of my mouth or my pen. In those instances, remind me how blessed I truly am. Remind me that You’re still in control, whether I think I am or not. You have gone before me, You, LORD, walk beside me, and You hem me in as my rearguard. I am loved, cherished, and protected. May all I do and say today bring glory and honor to You. Amen
** You go before me and follow me. You place Your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5
** Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
GOD WHO TAKES CARE OF ME
ON THE PORCH 