22 FAR REACHING LOVE F O O T ================================

• H O L D

READING

22 FAR REACHING LOVE

PRAY Teach me your way for me today, Lord, and help me to walk in it.

READ Genesis 21:1-21.

THINK What can we learn from God’s dealings with Hagar about his care for the outcast and lonely? Review your own attitude to the underprivileged and needy. —————————————————————– FOCUS The words of the visitors came true. At the appointed time the promised child was born. He brought: CONFIRMATION (1-8). Now Abraham and Sarah KNEW they could trust God. They knew that the child was a sheer, miraculous gift of God. There is nothing like the certainty that comes when, after facing difficulties, we see an answer to prayer in the fulfilment of a promise. Now they had JOY. It is apparent in the name given. Isaac means ‘he laughs’. It appears also in Sarah’s words (6) and Abraham’s party (8). Now they were OBEDIENT. There is no hesitation about the special sign of circumcision (4). God had been true to his covenant promise; Abraham demonstrated that he was willing to live up to his responsibilities in that covenant. CONFLICT (8-21). We might expect everything to be wonderful, but there was resentment. Some thirteen or fourteen years earlier Sarah had suggested to Abram that her servant, Hagar, have a child for them. So Ishmael had been born (see 16:1-16). Now Sarah wanted the adolescent Ishmael and his mother to be sent away. Abraham was reluctant to do this, but God reassured him (11-13). Although his covenant would be fulfilled through Isaac, God would not abandon Ishmael. Abraham’s provisions of food and water were soon exhausted. (14-16). But what man cannot do, God can (19). His care for the outcast is made gloriously plain. —————————————————————— PRAY Allow your mind and imagination to explore God’s far-reaching love. Worship him and thank him. ==========