13 February

“Then she (Hagar) called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, ‘You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees’ (El Roi).” (Genesis 16:13)

Sarai had been married to Abram for many years, but in spite of God’s promise of making them a great nation, they had no child. She took matters into her hands and gave her Egyptian slave, Hagar, to her husband, as was the ancient practice. Hagar became pregnant and began to despise Sarai. Thus, they experienced a series of problems due to their lack of faith and by impatiently interpreting God’s promise to suit themselves and save them from the shame of childlessness. Sarai then maltreated Hagar. Abram behaved like the proverbial ostrich that hides his head in the sand, hoping that the problem would disappear. It didn’t. Hagar ran away, further complicating the problem. But El Roi, saw them all, appeared to Hagar in the desert and made all things to work together for the good of each of them.

ACTION: Wait patiently for God’s perfect timing and plans. We sometimes behave like Sarai, Abram or Hagar and complicate our lives unnecessarily.

PRAYER: Lord, give us grace to look up to You alone at such a time as this!