TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
The angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, slave of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?” Genesis 16:7-8
Read: Genesis 16:6-15
Listen: Genesis 16
TODAY’S MESSAGE
This part of the story is both shocking and sad. When Sarai realizes her servant Hagar is pregnant, while she is infertile, Sarai “mistreats” her. But the word “mistreat” seems inadequate to describe what is really happening. It’s the same word used to describe how the Egyptian masters treated their Jewish slaves when they weren’t working hard enough (see Exodus 1:1-14). It was more than we typically understand as “mistreatment,” it was unbearable abuse. So much so that Hagar takes off.
Hagar is a pregnant woman, on the road for 70 miles and traveling alone. She’s a slave and a foreigner with no value. But the God of the universe tracks down this exhausted and uncertain runaway! He sees her, knows her, finds her and cares for her.
God not only sought Hagar—he is seeking us. “For the Son of Man [Jesus] came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). God knows when we’re on the run, exhausted and uncertain. He’s close, and he cares. He’s the God who finds the runaways.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Watch this video of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Austin Stone Worship. Pay close attention to verse four, “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide. Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow. Blessings all mine with ten thousand beside.” Use these words as you worship the God who sees and finds.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
