9 And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, scoffing. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, "Cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, namely with Isaac." 11 And the matter was very displeasing in Abraham's sight because of his son.
12 But God said to Abraham, "Do not let it be displeasing in your sight because of the lad or because of your bondwoman. Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called. 13 Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed."
14 So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away.—Genesis 21:9-14
There is much in Chapter 21 of Genesis from which to glean. What hit my heart this morning first and foremost was how utterly heartbreaking it must have been for Abraham to send his son Ishmael away. The word used in verse 11 of the KJV is “grievous”. The word translated “grievous” means to shake violently...to quiver or tremble. Abraham was not only displeased (the word that the NKJV uses) but was also deeply distressed...and yet..Abraham obeyed God. The Lord follows up in verse 13 by reaffirming His promise to Abraham with regard to Ishmael.
Yet I will also make a nation of the son of the bondwoman, because he is your seed."—Genesis 21:13
Verse 14 tells us Abraham believed God and obeyed...despite his feelings...despite what he may have wanted.
So Abraham rose early in the morning, and took bread and a skin of water; and putting it on her shoulder, he gave it and the boy to Hagar, and sent her away. Then she departed and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba.—Genesis 21:14
I couldn’t help but think how trusting Hagar and Ishmael to His God must have prepared Abraham for the even greater test of his faith in Genesis 22, when God asks him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac. Again, Abraham obeyed believing God.
By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.—Hebrews 11:17-19
Beloved, God keeps His promises. Our God’s rules and overrules all in this world to accomplish His sovereign purposes. He speaks and it is done. He commands and it stands fast. His counsel stands forever and the thoughts of His heart to all generations.
Be faithful...trust His word and obey. None of us is sufficient for anything that God calls us to do...But God is. He will give you the power you need to do what He wants you to do when you need it. His grace is sufficient. He will fulfill all your purpose. You can be confident that He will complete the good work He began in you until the day of Jesus Christ.
If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?—Romans 8:31-32
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.—Proverbs 3:5-6
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah—Psalm 46:10-11
