Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 JESUS CHRIST WHO STOPS AT HUMAN CRIES

Biblical Passage: Genesis 21: 9 - 19

- God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? 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.” – Genesis 21: 17-18
Devotion
Stuck between a rock and a hard place. This is what it must have felt like for Hagar as she and her son were driven from Abraham’s encampment. The rejection that Hagar felt is the same emotion that many of us experience. However, God reminds us through this passage that even though we may go through human rejection, pain, and suffering, He deeply cares and understands our sorrows. 
Abraham is one of the individuals we oftentimes look to as an example of how to live a faithful life. In Abraham’s life, we can see that others around him displayed a significant level of faith. As we read through Genesis 21, we take a look at the woman who bore Abraham’s first son. This woman, Hagar, may seem as not more than a mere footnote in the story of God’s providential work through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Upon closer examination, her story proves to be more than that since God directly intervened and acted on behalf of both her and her son, Ishmael.
Oftentimes in the Gospels, Jesus stopped for those who were on the sidelines of society. Those people probably experienced what Hagar felt in the desert. Those who encountered Jesus experienced firsthand what God is all about: intervening, redeeming, and renewing. In the desert, Hagar hit rock bottom. At her lowest point, God paused for her. He could have continued with Abraham’s story with little regard to the maidservant and her son. Likewise, Jesus could have easily walked past people while He walked the earth. He couldn’t. Why? Because He cares too deeply for people. He earnestly desires to enter our lives, wipe the slates clean, and mold us into individuals that may be used to fulfill His glorious purpose on this earth. 
Time and time again, we see that God is there. The responsibility is on us, His children, to cry out for divine intervention. Irrespective of our circumstances, just as we see in the life of Hagar, we continuously stand in the presence of the Lord who extends a willing hand. 
Prayer
Father God, we thank you for being personal with us. We thank you for never forgetting us when we feel rejected and abandoned. We ask for the faith to call out to and seek you in the midst of sorrow. Carry us in our low of lows and be exalted in our high of highs. In all the days of our lives, draw us closer to you through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask all this in His name. Amen.

Thought for the Day
Still You hear me when I’m calling. Lord, You catch me when I’m falling. And you’ve told me who I am. I am Yours. – Casting Crowns

 Gini Thomas
 Staten Island Mar Thoma Church, NY

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