Faith — The Shortcut - Thursday
TODAY’S VERSE
Genesis 16:8
And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” (ESV)
Biblical scholar Bruce Waltke once made the observation that this is the only text in all of Ancient Near Eastern literature where a deity addresses a woman by name. The significance? Not only is Hagar a woman (which already put her lower in the general ranks of her society), but she was a slave woman who was fleeing an abusive situation. As far as her culture was concerned, she was irrelevant and thought to be better left alone.
And yet, God found her and called her by name. Her response is our reminder, “You are the God who sees me.”
I don’t know where you are today. You could be on a spiritual mountain top. If you are, praise God. You may be spiritually coasting. If that’s you, I pray you vividly hear God’s invitations for your life today. But some of you are in a spiritual wasteland. Lost. Wandering. Broken. Unsure where to turn next. Losing your patience in the waiting and considering giving up on God. If that’s you, don’t ignore these next words.
God sees you and knows your name. Not only that, but He’s coming after you. Looking to find you in your darkest hour and bring you out.
Regardless of whatever worldly reasons of unworthiness you may feel, God looks past all of them. His attention is on you, not your sin (thank you, Jesus). Your adversary is yelling out your shame. Your Father is calling out your name!
You need only to turn to Him, listen to His words, and follow after Him. He sees you, loves you, cares for you, and knows what’s best for you.
APPLICATION
Maybe today is your Hagar moment. Left in the wake of your sins and the sins of others, you decide to finally receive the words of your Father and repent.
If that’s you, don’t do it in isolation. Turn to your community or let us know how we can come alongside you in this season.
PRAYER
Father, thank You for the reality that You chase after us even when we are least desirable. Thank You for Your unconditional love and unending love. Help us to run to You when our legs seem to have lost their strength.