In the ancient world, children were important for a person鈥檚 legacy and also, practically speaking, as security in one鈥檚 old age. Unable to have children, Abraham鈥檚 wife Sarah would have been looked down upon in society. In her desperation, she does the unthinkable and asks their servant, Hagar, to bear a child with Abraham. It鈥檚 an act of a woman who has forgotten that God will do as he promised.
But God鈥檚 redemption is all over this situation. God doesn鈥檛 forget Hagar. She鈥檚 a woman who will never be part of Abraham鈥檚 blessed family, but God takes care of her nonetheless. Hagar gives God a name: the God who sees me.
God also followed through with his promise to Abraham and Sarah and gave Sarah a child of her own. Sarah鈥檚 sin didn鈥檛 disqualify her from this blessing. That鈥檚 because God鈥檚 promises are not based on us, what we accomplish, or how much faith we have. God鈥檚 promises are based on who he is, and that鈥檚 what we can rely on.
Prayer: Dear God, you are the God who sees me, as Hagar said. You are the God who blessed Sarah, even though she lost her faith for a moment. You see me, and you are faithful. Amen.