Good morning all-
First, I just wanted to say that I am thinking about my sisters in France. I am praying that God would comfort those that lost someone to hate and evil. I would also like to say that I am praying for France and Nigeria. It seems an all out war is happening on this earth and all I can do is pray. The killing is senseless but I guess its part of the history behind Abraham and his descendants. Men against men. My heart is heavy for your trials, please know I am praying for you.
The confusion of man and his mission is age old. God promised Sarah and Abraham a son but they thought best and Sarah gave her servant to Abraham. I truly believe all parties had the best intentions but because of that act an innocent child was impacted. Even when God was speaking to Abraham about the covenant, he wanted Ishmael to have what Isaac would be given and God said that kings and descendants would come from him too. Don't you wonder of those descendants now? Are they part of ISIS, Al-Qaeda? More than likely they are. God described Ishmael when He spoke to Hagar about his birth and the description is that of the men that make up terrorist groups all over the world. He stated, "The angel of the Lord also said to her: “You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery. He will be a wild donkey of a man; his hand will be against everyone and everyone’s hand against him, and he will live in hostility toward all his brothers.” She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:11-13 NIV)
I have to wonder if that wasn't an omen to come and here we are thousands of years later with people that hate anyone that doesn't think like them. I am praying that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Ishmael will turn these tortured hearts toward him and that the world will know God for who He really is. None of us have the answers to the chaos that is 2015 but what we can be confident in is that God sees all. He knew that Sarah had made a grave mistake by not trusting in Him and the consequences were going to be jealousy, anger and sin. All of these things occurred and eventually Ishmael had to leave Abraham. Fast forward thousands of years and we have a holy war full of terrorists that want to rule the world.
My only peace comes from prayer and petition to the living God. My only solace is what Hagar spoke to God as she was fleeing Sarah's unfair treatment of her. Oh, how I wish to see my king as she did but it's in her words that I find solace. He is the God that sees me. He is the God that knows the heartache sin is having on this earth and it's in Him I must put all my faith and trust. So for today, I will continue to pray for my sisters and ask for their protection, their peace and their ability to worship our Father in their minds and hearts. May the God who sees me, see those that do evil and come for them so that they may know the power of the cross!
I leave you with this mighty Scripture today to meditate on and memorize. I feel it is the Scripture we should base 2015 on.
“You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13 NIV)
My prayer today:
My Lord God, we come before you women seeking a Savior. We hold out our hands and stretch our thoughts and prayers to our sisters all over the world. We thank you for your grace and mercy and for the love Sarah and Abraham had for Isaac and Ishmael. You spoke to a servant girl about her path as the mother of one of your most loved servants and in turn, you provided her with a child that had kings as descendants. You graced her with knowing You and of seeing You. As we move forward in 2015, may this Scripture reside in the hearts of women all over the world. You know us, You see us and we are Yours for all time. We come to You on bended knee asking for forgiveness for our sins and for every man, woman and child throughout the earth. We are sinful in nature but Your nature is grace. As we seek You, we expect to see You, just as Hagar, Sarah, Mary and Mary Magdalene all were blessed to do. You know us and we are forever grateful for Your presence in our lives and in the lives of those You have chosen. In Jesus name we pray! AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment