Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 21:9-20.
“9 Now Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Drive out this maid and her son, for the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.” 11 The matter distressed Abraham greatly because of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. 13 And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant.” 14 So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, putting them on her shoulder, and gave her the boy, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba.
15 When the water in the skin was used up, she left the boy under one of the bushes. 16 Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “Do not let me see the boy die.” And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. 17 God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. 18 Arise, lift up the lad, and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” 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.
20 God was with the lad, and he grew; and he lived in the wilderness and became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.” Genesis 21:9-20.
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Through Genesis 17:15-22, in a prior devotion, we already covered the important spiritual truth (we, like Isaac, are children of promise). Today’s Scripture repeats that “the son of this maid shall not be an heir with my son Isaac.” Verse 9. Here is a link to that devotion – https://reformeddoctrine.com/2013/07/30/the-heirs-of-the-promise/
Nevertheless, this matter distressed Abraham greatly because Ishmael was also his son. Verse 11. And, the rest of today’s Scripture shows God’s concern for Abraham’s feeling of distress and God’s care for Ishmael. “But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed because of the lad and your maid; whatever Sarah tells you, listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. And of the son of the maid I will make a nation also, because he is your descendant.” Verses 12-13.
We too may have things that happen to us which are for our good. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28. Nevertheless, some surrounding matter may distress us.
But, there is hope!
God has concern for our feelings of distress too and comforts us too and controls the surrounding matters for our good too, like He did for Abraham.
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 4:1.
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” Psalm 18:6.
“But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold And a refuge in the day of my distress.” Psalm 59:16.
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:6.
“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:13.
“Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, And He brought them out of their distresses.” Psalm 107:28.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 