June 25, 2023
We’re in the final part of our sermon series, “I love to tell the story.” We’ve looked at stories in Genesis. We looked at the creation story, and learned how incredible it was that our God, our loving God, created the universe. Then we talked about Abraham, our father in faith who took a big risk to follow God. God promised to bless Abraham so that he would be a blessing to others. And we learned that if we’ve been tempted to settle for a life less than what God intends, we can plant a seed of faith, because God is the- God of miracles and breakthroughs! You can’t imagine what he can do with a seed you plant in faith!
Today our theme, “I love to tell the story”, is being tested, because we have a heart wrenching story about Ishmael and his mother. God had promised Abraham that he and Sarah would have a son and that their descendants would be as countless as the stars! He would make of him a great nation, and a great name!
But that didn’t happen quickly. It took years. And while they waited and waited for God to give them a child, Sarah told Abraham, I think God is not going to make this happen. We won’t have a child. So, take our slave Hagar and have a child with her. And Abraham did. When Hagar becomes pregnant, Sarah is jealous and feels that Hagar despises her. So Sarah treats her badly, and Hagar runs away.
See what I mean about I don’t love to tell this story? Hagar is treated horribly!
But in the wilderness, an angel of the Lord comes and tells Hagar, you will give birth to a son named Ishmael, meaning “God has heard of your misery.” Now go back to Sarah. In Genesis 16:10, the angel promises Hagar, “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count.”
Hagar feels better and says to the angel: “You are the God who sees me,” for she says, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” And she goes back to Sarah and Abraham and gives birth to Ishmael.
Hagar knows that God listens, because God has seen her. God will take care of her and Ishmael. She experiences that God is her help!
Hagar’s troubles are not over, but for now she feels better knowing God hears and will help her. Things are ok for a while. Then Abraham and Sarah finally, after many years, give birth to a son named Isaac, which is great news for them! At their age, (Sarah is 90 and Abraham is 100 years old) it is ridiculous, but amazing news. And they are so happy and love Isaac so much.
It is wonderful news for Abraham and Sarah. But it turns out to be terrible news for Hagar and Ishmael. Because Sarah looks at Ishmael, and thinks he is mocking Isaac. Genesis 21:10 says, “And Sarah said to Abraham, ‘Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.’”
Abraham does NOT want to get rid of them, he loves his son Ishmael. But God tells him not to worry, Ishmael will be ok. So, Abraham takes Hagar and Ishmael to the desert and leaves them there with food and water.
I’m not loving this story, how about you? It’s heartbreaking! Have you ever felt that God doesn’t care? Have you ever been there? If you have, you’re not alone! There are so many people who’ve had really heartbreaking things happen. And when it does, sometimes you wonder, God, how could you let this happen?
We don’t have answers to every question we have. God does, and one day He will tell us. While we wait, we can know that God always has a purpose in your pain. God is good. When we are hurting, God is still working. I don’t know what your pain is. Maybe someone let you down. Maybe you recently lost someone important to you. It could be a broken relationship. Maybe someone lied to you or took advantage of you. Maybe you hope for something more in life, and it is taking a very long time.
Whenever you’re hurting, remember God has a purpose. 1 Peter 1:6 & 7 says, even though you must endure many trials, there is real joy ahead! These trials will show that your faith is genuine. Scripture tells us God is doing something in difficult times. He is growing your faith.
Hagar grew in faith when she was pregnant and ran away. She learned God saw her and would hear and help her son.
But Hagar’s trouble at the hand of Sarah happens a 2nd time! Now Hagar and her son Ishmael are left alone in the wilderness! When their water runs out, Hagar puts Ishmael under a bush. Genesis 21:16 says, “Then Hagar went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, ‘I cannot watch the boy die.’ And as she sat there, she began to sob.”
She’s lost hope. But, God always has a purpose in our pain. Do you remember what Ishmael’s name means? It means, “God hears.”
Listen to what happens next in verses 17 and 18 “God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, ‘What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. 18 Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.’”
Then God opens Hagar’s eyes, and she sees a well. Now she and Ishmael have water!
From there the Scripture says Ishmael grew, and God was with him. And when he was older, Hagar found a wife for him. Ishmael had 12 sons. And he is said to be the father of Arabians. When his father Abraham dies, Ishmael is there with Isaac at the funeral.
That story worked out after all! It seems like God had a purpose for Hagar: not to remain a slave of Sarah, who always treated her badly. Hagar was freed when Abraham abandoned her and Ishmael in the wilderness. It was a blessing she didn’t see in that moment. But I can imagine as time went on she was so glad to finally be free! God had a purpose for Ishmael, to be the father of a great nation. And that’s what he became. God had a purpose in Hagar and Ishmael’s pain. And God has a purpose in your pain.
My challenge for you this week is to think about a time when God heard your misery. A time God listened and helped you. That’s a powerful story. Write that down. That’s a story to encourage you and encourage others. That’s an “I love to tell the story” kind of story!
Sometimes terrible things happen! When you hurt, God hurts with you. You may not understand what’s going on, but God is working for good. If you feel like you’re all alone, you’re not. God is with you, he loves you. And just like he heard Ishmael and Hagar in a desperate time, God hears you. There is real joy ahead! Amen.
Today’s message: Talk it over
- Have you ever asked God, “How could You let this happen?” What life events led to you this question?
- God doesn’t always cause the pain, but God can always use it. Have you ever seen this?
- Do you know anyone who is hurting right now? Can you pray and do something practical for them to show them God’s love?
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