Isn’t it good to know that there is a God who hears our prayers and answers them? A God who is
^“ Then she went off and sat down about a bowshot away, for she thought, “I cannot watch the boy die.” And as she sat there, she began to sob. 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.”- Gen 21:16-17

“The boy crying”? I thought it was Hagar who was crying, yet God heard the cries of Ishmael. This scenario reminded me of Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Isn’t that comforting? He’s that close to us! BUT here’s what I don’t understand; why does God wait until now to speak to Hagar? Why not when they began their journey?

I’m not a theologian, therefore there could be other logical explanations, but something tells me God wanted to make sure He had their undivided attention before He explains how He intends to bless Ishmael. It seems He did that once before with Hagar while she was carrying Ishmael in her womb. (Gen 16:6-13) Another reason could be that sincere prayers often come from desperate situations. Perhaps, they weren’t looking to God until they became desperate! That seems to be a common thread for a lot of people; believers and nonbelievers alike.  

Hungering after the Lord, and desiring to know and draw closer to Him is something God wishes to be manifested in all of us! Unfortunately, this longing seems to be diminishing in many who call themselves Christians today, but have little or no desire for a personal relationship with Him. The world is also full of things that can grab and  keep our attention and affections away from God, but I fear those who lack a desire to draw closer to Him are those Jesus was taking about when He said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21–23

The great news is that a longing for God that David describes in these Psalms can be awakened within us and others at anytime, if we’re willing. When we begin to long for a relationship with the Lord, He will be right there to satisfy us with a sense of completeness in Him. And that spiritual hunger can keep growing throughout of life here on earth! It can seem like the more we’re satisfied by Christ, the more intimately we’ll want to know Him.

Let’s pray that He will become our lifelong pursuit until we see Him face to face, and won’t that be a glorious day!?