How can we trust God when facing "the water in the skin was gone"? setting the scene “Then Abraham rose early in the morning, took bread and a skin of water, and gave them to Hagar; placing the boy on her shoulder, he sent her away. She left and wandered in the Wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she left the boy under one of the bushes.” (Genesis 21:14-15) Hagar is alone in a desert, resources exhausted, child crying, hope evaporating. Yet the very next verses record God’s intervention, provision, and promise. Her story becomes a template for trusting God when our “water in the skin” runs dry. observations from the passage • God had already given Abraham a directive (Genesis 21:12-13); human obedience placed Hagar in God’s care. • The crisis arrives suddenly: the water that sustained them “was gone.” • Hagar, overwhelmed, distances herself from her son to avoid witnessing his death (v. 16). • God hears the boy’s voice (v. 17) and dispatches an angel with comfort, instruction, and promise. • A well of water is revealed (v. 19); Hagar fills the skin, refreshes Ishmael, and they live on in the wilderness under God’s continuing watch. truths about God revealed • He keeps covenant promises even when circumstances scream the opposite (Romans 4:20-21). • He sees and hears the distressed (Genesis 16:13; Psalm 34:17-18). • His provision often exists before we perceive it (Philippians 4:19). • He acts on behalf of the helpless, not because of their strength, but because of His character (Isaiah 41:17-18). how these truths strengthen our trust when our resources run out • Resources are limited; God is limitless. Empty skins highlight His sufficiency. • Panic is normal, but not final; divine promises outlast human fears. • God’s timing refines faith—help after the water is gone magnifies His glory. • The same God who heard Ishmael will hear us; His ear has not grown dull (Hebrews 13:8). living it out when resources dry up • Acknowledge reality—don’t deny the empty skin; bring it honestly before the Lord (Psalm 62:8). • Recall specific promises of Scripture; speak them aloud to confront despair (Lamentations 3:21-23). • Obey any clear instruction God has already given; faith is active (James 2:17). • Look up and look around—God may open your eyes to a “well” already present (Psalm 121:1-2). • Refresh others with the provision you receive; testimony multiplies hope (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). encouraging Scriptures to anchor faith • 1 Kings 17:14 — “The jar of flour will not be exhausted and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.” • Isaiah 43:19 — “Behold, I am about to do something new… I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” • Matthew 6:31-33 — “Therefore do not worry… your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” • John 7:37-38 — “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink… streams of living water will flow from within him.” final encouragement When the skin is empty and the desert heat relentless, remember: God hears, God sees, God provides. Trust is not blind optimism; it is confident reliance on the One whose wells never run dry. |
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