In times of heartbreak and uncertainty, it’s easy to feel lost in a wilderness of confusion, pain, or spiritual dryness. But Genesis 21 offers a powerful reminder: even when we feel cast out, God is present. This Mother’s Day message focuses not on a commonly celebrated mother like Hannah or Mary, but on Hagar. A woman whose story teaches us that the God of Abraham is also the God who sees the overlooked, hears the cry of the desperate, provides in the driest of deserts, and keeps His promises.
God Meets Us in Our Distress (Genesis 21:14-16)
Hagar’s journey into the wilderness wasn’t a peaceful retreat, it was an act of forced abandonment. Sent away by Abraham with only bread and water, she wandered aimlessly through Beersheba until her resources ran dry. At the breaking point, she placed her son Ishmael under a shrub and walked away, unable to watch him die.
This moment of despair wasn’t just physical, it was deeply emotional and spiritual. But God often meets us right there, at the end of ourselves. Just as Psalm 34 reminds us, He is close to the brokenhearted. Whether you’re grieving silently, facing unjust treatment, or simply feeling like you have nothing left to give, God sees. He is not a distant observer; He enters our distress with compassion and purpose.
God Hears the Cry of the Needy (Genesis 21:17)
While Hagar wept from a distance, Ishmael cried out from under the bush and God heard. Not the polished prayer of a theologian, but the raw, honest cry of a child. Scripture says, “God heard the voice of the lad.” This is a profound truth: God listens not just to words but to hearts.
You don’t need perfect phrasing for God to hear you. Sometimes our prayers are groans, sighs, or even tears. Romans 8 tells us the Holy Spirit intercedes with groanings that cannot be uttered. If your heart is burdened and you feel voiceless, know this: God hears you. Whether in a hospital room, a dark bedroom, or a church pew, your cry reaches heaven.
God Opens Eyes to His Provision (Genesis 21:18-19)
God didn’t just comfort Hagar, He acted. He opened her eyes to a well that had been there all along. Her grief had blinded her, but God’s grace restored her vision. Often, our pain prevents us from seeing what God has already provided. His provision is not always new, it’s often already within reach, waiting to be recognized.
This truth was illustrated through personal testimony. After years of infertility and painful uncertainty, God led one family through the unexpected path of adoption. Doors had closed, agencies failed, and finances fell short but God opened a way. And when God calls, He also equips. He provides not just financially but emotionally and spiritually, granting what we need to walk through the valley.
The well in Hagar’s story reminds us of Jesus, the Living Water. He is God’s greatest provision. And when we come to Him in our thirst, we find not only relief but satisfaction for our souls.
God Remains Faithful to His Promises (Genesis 21:20-21)
Ishmael, once dying under a bush, grows up to become a strong man. Why? Because God had made a promise. And God always keeps His promises. Even when we see no progress and feel forgotten, God’s Word stands firm.
Parents, take heart: no spiritual investment in your children is ever wasted. You may not see the fruit today, but God’s promises are not confined to our timelines. The Word planted in a child’s heart can lie dormant for years before it blossoms.
Ultimately, the story of Ishmael points to a greater promise, the promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is the true Son of promise. In Him, every promise of God finds its “yes.” And while we don’t get to script every detail of our lives, we can trust the One who holds the pen. He is faithful even when outcomes don’t match our expectations.
Conclusion
If you feel like Hagar (wandering, wounded, or weary) know this: God sees you. He hears your cries, even when no one else does. He can open your eyes to hope and provision. And He is faithful to every promise He has made.
You may not have chosen your wilderness, but you are not alone in it. Look again to Jesus. He is the well in the desert, the Savior who satisfies the soul, the Friend who never abandons. He was forsaken so you never have to be.
If you’ve never trusted Him, today is the day to receive Him as Saviour. And if you know Him, cry out to Him again. His ear is tuned to your voice. His heart is moved by your need. He is the God who sees and saves.
