Sharon Jaynes
“Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water,” (Genesis 21:19 NIV).
Yesterday we looked at Hagar and how God spoke to her in her deepest time of need. Let’s visit that one more time, because Hagar, like you and me, forgot about her encounter with God.
When Hagar encountered God the first time, she fell on her face and gave God the name El Roi, the God who Sees Me “I have now seen the One who sees me,” she cried. She had heard God. She had seen God. More importantly, God had seen Hagar. God had heard Hagar.
Hagar returned to her mistress, gave birth to a son, and placed him into Abram’s arms. But sixteen years later, God was true to His word, and Sarai gave birth to a son of her own. (God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah).
When Hagar encountered God the first time, she fell on her face and gave God the name El Roi, the God who Sees Me “I have now seen the One who sees me,” she cried. She had heard God. She had seen God. More importantly, God had seen Hagar. God had heard Hagar.
Hagar returned to her mistress, gave birth to a son, and placed him into Abram’s arms. But sixteen years later, God was true to His word, and Sarai gave birth to a son of her own. (God also changed Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s to Sarah).
When Abraham was ninety-nine years old and Sarah ninety, with a womb that was as good as dead, she birthed a bouncing baby boy whom they named Isaac. But rather than diminish Sarah’s angst toward Hagar, the tension between the two boys stoked the fire of jealousy into full blaze.
On the day of Isaac’s weaning party, Sarah demanded that Hagar and her son, Ishmael, be sent away for good. After wandering around in the desert, after their water supply had dried up, after giving up all hope, Hagar placed Ishmael under a tree to die. He cried. She cried. God heard
“What is the matter, Hagar?” the angel said. “Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”
“Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water” (Genesis 21:19).
This verse catches my breath every time. The water was there all the time, but she didn’t see it. Not until God opened her eyes did the life giving drink come into focus.
Sometimes, I feel just like her. Not so much in that I have ever truly been abused, but I have been tossed away, abandoned, and used. And I have run. And God has rescued.
I’m also like Hagar in another way. I forget. God comes to me in my running away. He sees me. He notices me. I know He sees me. I call him El Roi and all is well. But time passes, as sixteen years passed for Hagar, and I forget. I forget what He has done for me, what He has said to me, what He has meant to me. I forget. I close my eyes and wander about thirsty again. I give up. I lay my hopes and dreams under a tree and walk away for them to die.
“What is the matter, Sharon? Do not be afraid; God has heard your crying.” And God woos me back once again. He opens my eyes to the well of living water that has been there all along.
Today, remember. Remember who God is. He will do what He said He will do. He is El Roi, the God who sees me. He is the God who sees you. And that is something we should never forget.
Let’s Pray
Lord, I am so sorry that I have forgotten the many ways you have blessed me, the many times You have rescued me, the many times You have given me moments of Sudden Glory when You’ve made Your presence known. Open my eyes, Lord. Open my eyes to see Your well of goodness right in front of me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
What Do You Think?
Go back and read the story of Hagar in Genesis 21. Zoom in on verse 19 “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” The well was there all along. She just didn’t see it. Today, pray that God will open your eyes to His provision and protection in your life.
Hagar, “she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink,” (Genesis 21:19). When I open my eyes to see the well of God’s provision, protection, and persistent pursuit of my heart, it is never for me alone. He then calls me to fill my skin, and give others a drink.
Is there someone He is calling you to refresh today? Leave a comment and let me know.
Hagar, “she went and filled the skin with water, and gave the boy a drink,” (Genesis 21:19). When I open my eyes to see the well of God’s provision, protection, and persistent pursuit of my heart, it is never for me alone. He then calls me to fill my skin, and give others a drink.
Is there someone He is calling you to refresh today? Leave a comment and let me know.
Want More?
I don’t know about you, but one of the greatest longings of my heart is to experience God’s presence and working in my life on a daily basis. I call that experiencing moments of Sudden Glory that soothe the glory ache in my heart. If you long for more in your relationship with Jesus, then check out my book, A Sudden Glory: God’s Lavish Response to Your Ache for Something More. On my website, you can watch videos, download a free chapter, and even tell about your moments of sudden glory. I hope you’ll stop by for a visit.
Sharon Jaynes has been encouraging women through ministry for over twenty-five years. From the time she met Christ as a teenager, she fell in love with God’s Word and has had a passion to equip women to live fully and free (John 8:32; John 10:10). Her passion is to encourage, and empower women to walk in courage and confidence as they grasp their true identity as a child of God and a co-heir with Christ.
For ten years Sharon served as Vice President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and co-host for their daily radio feature. She is the author of 17 books with Harvest House, Moody, and Multnomah Publishers (see resource page for details). She has also written numerous magazine articles and devotions for publications such as Focus on the Family, Extraordinary Women, Decision,Crosswalk.com and In Touch. Sharon is a frequent guest on radio and television programs such as Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Family Life Today with Dennis Rainey, and Focus on the Family.
Besides her own books, she has also been a contributing author in many books such as Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan’s Soul, Stories for the Teens Heart, Stories for the Man’s Heart, and the Women’s Devotional Bible. Her books have been translated into several different languages including Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Korean
Sharon is the co-founder of Girlfriends in God, Inc., a non-denominational ministry that crosses generational, denominational and racial boundaries to bring the Body of Christ together as believers. She, along with her ministry partners, Mary Southerlandand Gwen Smith, provide daily on-line devotions read by approximately 400,000 subscribers and turn-key conferences packages
Now what you really want to know…
That was the official bio, and honestly, it makes me sound a lot more studious and accomplished than I really am. So let me tell you what you really need to know.
I’m just a simple gal raised in eastern North Carolina who loves the beach, drinks too much sweet tea and is still crazy about her husband after thirty-two years. If there was ever a situation where I had to run for my life, I’d just plan on meeting Jesus because I wouldn’t get very far. The treadmill is becoming my new friend, but we’re not all that chummy yet.
I have one grown son that lives 767.5 miles away (yes, I timed it). Being his mom has been one of the greatest joys of my life, but he grew up without my permission. Seriously, he is a creative whipper-snapper whom God has used to teach me many life lessons.
When I write my blogs, women always say, “how did you know exactly what I am going through.” My answer is always the same, “because I’m going through the very same stuff you are.” I don’t have it altogether and I certainly don’t have all the answers. But I do know the One Who does, and there’s nothing I love better than grabbing hold of a sister’s hand and learning how to live fully and free in Christ together.
A Note From Sharon
“We women today face many struggles and challenges trying desperately to balance our varied roles and responsibilities. If you’re like me, you’re looking for peace in the chaos of life, perspective among the cultural clattering that daily bombards us, and purpose that brings true fulfillment. I’ve discovered there’s only one place to find peace – it’s God peace; there is only one place to find a proper perspective – it’s God’s truth; and only one place to find true fulfillment – in discovering God’s purpose for my life.
One of my greatest joys has been having the privilege of watching God change women’s lives: setting the captive free, mending broken hearts, or opening the eyes of a new believer for the very first time. Whether it is a person’s first experience with the Savior or a seasoned saint growing deeper in her faith, my passion is to tell women about the truth that will set them free to be all that God has intended for them to be in Him (John 8:32; John 10:10).
My prayer for each life that I have the privilege of touching is “that they will be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-3).
- Sharon Jaynes
No comments:
Post a Comment