INTRODUCTION

Hagar’s tale in Genesis 21 includes a wealth of important lessons for everyone. Hagar was aimlessly wandering. Her water supply had run out. She hid her aspirations behind a shrub so that she wouldn’t have to witness the end of her future.

¹⁵ When the water in the bottle was all gone, Hagar caused the youth to lie down under one of the shrubs. ¹⁶ Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about a bowshot, for she said, Let me not see the death of the lad. And as she sat down opposite him, [d]he lifted up his voice and wept and she raised her voice and wept. ¹⁷ And God heard the voice of the youth, and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said to her, What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the youth where he is. ¹⁸ Arise, raise up the youth and support him with your hand, for I intend to make him a great nation. ¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the [empty] bottle with water and caused the youth to drink.

• Genesis 21: 15-19

When our hearts break for Hagar and her losses, we recall our own terrifying experiences – a meeting, a phone conversation, or a painful event – when we realized our lives would never be the same again. There are moments when we feel like Hagar, sitting in the wilderness, placing the things that are precious to us a hundred yards from our heart so that we don’t have to watch them perish. We don’t know how we’ll survive because we have run out of “water,” or the basic necessities of life, such as employment, shelter or where the next meal would be coming from.

THE TWISTS IN OUR STORIES

When God steps into a situation, there is always a twist to whatever we are experiencing if we can only listen. No matter what the situation is, we should never allow our current situations close our ears to hearing from God. Also reading through her account we must never forget

1. A promise was already made concerning the boy Ishmael – Genesis 21:13 [ ¹³ And I will make a nation of the son of the bondwoman also, because he is your offspring.] What promises have been made concerning you?
2. We have a Father who is compassionate, a God who sees and loves the weak, afflicted, and vulnerable. (Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 10:18-19, Isaiah 1:17) It is in His nature to save them.

Keep your eyes open about you, believe in yourself, and have faith in God. Wells of possibilities can be found all around you. In the name of Jesus, none of God’s promises will fail over your life.

⁴ Say to those who are of a fearful and hasty heart, Be strong, fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance; with the recompense of God He will come and save you.

• Isaiah 35:4

PRAYERS

1. Prayer of thanksgiving.
2. Ask for forgiveness and mercy.
3. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, I thank you for the opportunity and privilege to be alive.
4. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, open my eyes to see opportunities and recognize it
5. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, open the doors of great opportunities for me and my household
6. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, open my spiritual eyes to see and identify opportunities for my destiny.
7. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, intervene in my case and let my destiny helpers locate me.
8. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, make a way for me in my business, career, profession, academics and ministry
9. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, shower Your rains of blessing and wonders upon my life, destiny, career, business, family, academics and ministry
10. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, open Your heavens and let great opportunities locate me.
11. Pray: Father in the name of Jesus, arise in Your mercy and connect me with my destiny helpers.
12. Thank God for answered prayers.