Blessings In The Wilderness

Scripture: Genesis: 21:19

Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the lad a drink.

Commentary:
Sarah, Abraham's wife, and Hagar were on the fence; because Hagar despised Sarah when she gave birth to Ishmael, Abraham's son. Sarah in turn wanted to send Hagar away. God told Abraham to not be distressed because of the situation, but to do what Sarah said. So Abraham rose early one morning, and took bread and water, and gave it to Hagar. He put the two items on her shoulder, and then handed her Ishmael; and sent them away.

Imagine the fear that must have overcome Hagar. Alone, with a child in the wilderness; with only some water and some bread. When the portion of the water ran out, she put Ishmael under a tree, and sat beside him, and lifted up her voice and wept. That's when the angel of God spoke to her, and told her not to fear; for the God had heard the voice of the child laying where he was.She was then instructed to hold the child up by the hand, for God would make him a great nation.

What Hagar did not know, is that God had already communicated what He was going to do to Abraham That is why Abraham had the strength to do what he did. Now, God was giving Hagar the strength that she needed in her wilderness experience; as he opened her eyes to see a well of water in the midst of what appeared to be the end of her life, and the life of her child.

Reflection:

God will allow us to see life in the midst of our wilderness experience. He will bring a miracle right into plain sight, when we can't see anything else. God will spring forth blessings beyond our comprehension in the midst of our tears; and He will move on our behalf when we listen to His voice.

When we trust God at His word, He will bless our lives. We must hold onto the words that God has so softly spoken to us in our heart, and in our dreams. Even when we cannot see the full picture, God is working on our behalf. Let us hold on to what God has said, and not be swayed by what we see, or don't see.

Prayer:
Father God, I thank you for the strength that you have given me to keep pressing forward, and not looking back. I thank you for the tenacity that you have given me; and I do not take it for granted. I also thank you for continually showing yourself to me through your word on a daily basis, so that you can direct my path; that others might be lead to you. Thank you for your tender mercies that never fail, and I thank, and praise you; for you alone are worthy of all the praise, glory, honor, dominion, and power. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

Strong's Concordance Experience:

Opened: 6491
1) to open (the eyes)
a) (Qal)
1) to open (the eyes)
2) to open (the ears)
b) (Niphal) to be opened

her eyes: 5869
1) eye
a) eye
1) of physical eye
2) as showing mental qualities
3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
2) spring, fountain

and she saw: 7200
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider

a) (Qal)
1) to see
2) to see, perceive
3) to see, have vision
4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
6) to look at, gaze at
b) (Niphal)
1) to appear, present oneself
2) to be seen
3) to be visible
c) (Pual) to be seen
d) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to see, show
2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
e) (Hophal)
1) to be caused to see, be shown
2) to be exhibited to
f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face

a well: 875
1) well, pit, spring
 
of water: 4325
1) water, waters
a) water
b) water of the feet, urine
c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)

and she went: 1980
1) to go, walk, come
a) (Qal)
1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away
2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.)
b) (Piel)
1) to walk
2) to walk (fig.)
c) (Hithpael)
1) to traverse
2) to walk about
d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
and filled: 4390
1) to fill, be full
a) (Qal)
1) to be full
a) fulness, abundance (participle)
b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended
2) to consecrate, fill the hand
b) (Niphal)
1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied
2) to be accomplished, be ended
c) (Piel)
1) to fill
2) to satisfy
3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete
4) to confirm
d) (Pual) to be filled
e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against

and gave: 8248
1) to give to drink, irrigate, drink, water, cause to drink water
a) (Hiphil)
1) to water, irrigate
2) to water, give drink to
b) (Pual) to be watered
c) (Niphal) variant

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Beginnings - Genesis 21 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 9 Jan 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Gen&c=21&t=NASB
 
Higgins, S. (2009). Blessings In The Wilderness. Devotions for Thought. Higgins Publishing. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com