DAILY READING
REFLECTION
I'll Have That
by Pam Mann
Hagar’s lot in life is rough. It’s not bad enough that she’s a slave. It gets worse. Her mistress Sarai decides that Hagar should sleep with her husband Abram so that the couple might have a child.
Wow, this is normal life in the ancient world. We think it’s terribly cruel to Hagar, but it’s not surprising for her time and place. It’s also not surprising that Hagar, once she’s pregnant, gets uppity with Sarai. This, however, is not Hagar’s smartest move because Sarai mistreats her. No surprise there. So, Hagar takes off. Again, no surprise.
The life-changing surprise comes in verse 7 when the angel of the Lord finds Hagar. God’s messenger sees Hagar and asks what’s up.
Isn’t it surprising that Hagar doesn’t freak out that an angel of the Lord chats with her? Hagar simply vents out her frustrations, as if the angel is a long-time friend.
It’s at this point in the story that you’re probably thinking you want that exact kind of contact with God. It’s like that moment before you order at a restaurant and a server passes with something luscious, you say, “I’ll have that!” You don’t want Hagar’s awful life, but you want what God’s serving her. You want her Rescuer. You want a God who sees you.
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, that when life drags us down, You are not far off. You are near. You are not blind or indifferent. You see and You speak. Let us soak in Your presence and surprising grace.
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