Then the angel of the Lord told [Hagar], “Go back... and submit...” (Genesis 16:9).
Lord our God, You are a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9). You are El Roi, the God who sees the invisible, the outcast, the powerless. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Hebrews 4:13).
Our Father, You understand, even better than we can, the details of our relationships and our interactions—all the levels of conflict and complexity, confusion and culpability. And You meet us, even in our mistakes, our vulnerabilities, and our unwise decisions—just as You met Hagar.
Lord, "Go back and submit" may not be a message we welcome, but help us to trust that You know what's best for us. As You knew what was best for Hagar. The time would later come for her to leave (Genesis 21:8-20), but not yet. Pregnant and alone, she was too vulnerable, too exposed, too unprepared. And You had plans for her son (Genesis 16:10-11).
Teach us, like Hagar to trust You with our future. Keep us from the anger, the pride, the hurt, the emotional triggers that cause us to make hasty and unwise decisions. Even in difficult situations. Help us to heed when You speak hard truths into our spirit, like, "Not now," or "Stay", or "Submit," or "Yield" or "Comply," or "Go Back." You know how we struggle with such counsels!
Give us wisdom in our life decisions—our careers, our families, our worship, and our interactions. Only You know the way ahead. Only You can help us when the choices before us seem equally difficult, when the circumstances seem unbearable. Help us to rely on Your timing, trusting that You have a better plan than we can conceive. Trusting you are safeguarding what is yet to be born.
Help us to live out the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Thank You that You watch over our way, our life, and our coming and going (Psalm 121:7-8).
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