Athlete, God Sees You
*This devotional series was written by the AIA staff team at the University of Virginia
Read Genesis 16
What a mess! Again, we see Abram and Sarai's faith tottering. Even the giants of the faith are still mixed bags. They are waiting and waiting on God to provide the promised child, but they do not see God moving, so they take matters into their own hands. The Bible does not always explicitly condemn sexuality that deviates from the complete union described in Genesis 2, but it's always a disaster. Such is the case here. Abram and Sarai got the son they thought they wanted by using Hagar and committing polygamy (16:3), but it only leads them into more sin as Sarai becomes jealous of Hagar and they mistreat her. When she flees, we see the tenderness of God toward the downcast Hagar as He reveals himself to her at a spring in the desert. She says, "You are the God who sees me."
In the New Testament book of Galatians, the apostle Paul takes this situation figuratively (as well as literally). The child born through Hagar is symbolic of attempts to earn God's blessing through human efforts, credentials, or traditions. Of course, that is exactly what Abram and Sarai were doing when they stopped trusting in God to provide a son and came up with their own plan.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. We may not have a very specific promise like Abram did, but every believer has the related promise of abundant, eternal life. We have good, God-given longings for relational fullness, for physical health and fulfillment, for purpose and satisfaction in our work and other activities, and for closer fellowship with God. All of these are promised to us when God remakes the world, and sometimes we experience them (imperfectly) now. What have you been waiting on for a long time? Where are you tempted to take a "short-cut," as Abram and Sarai did, because you do not see God providing?
2. It is comforting to know that God was still with Hagar when everything was against her. How does the name "the God who sees me" speak to you?
Read Genesis 16
What a mess! Again, we see Abram and Sarai's faith tottering. Even the giants of the faith are still mixed bags. They are waiting and waiting on God to provide the promised child, but they do not see God moving, so they take matters into their own hands. The Bible does not always explicitly condemn sexuality that deviates from the complete union described in Genesis 2, but it's always a disaster. Such is the case here. Abram and Sarai got the son they thought they wanted by using Hagar and committing polygamy (16:3), but it only leads them into more sin as Sarai becomes jealous of Hagar and they mistreat her. When she flees, we see the tenderness of God toward the downcast Hagar as He reveals himself to her at a spring in the desert. She says, "You are the God who sees me."
In the New Testament book of Galatians, the apostle Paul takes this situation figuratively (as well as literally). The child born through Hagar is symbolic of attempts to earn God's blessing through human efforts, credentials, or traditions. Of course, that is exactly what Abram and Sarai were doing when they stopped trusting in God to provide a son and came up with their own plan.
Questions for Reflection and Prayer
1. We may not have a very specific promise like Abram did, but every believer has the related promise of abundant, eternal life. We have good, God-given longings for relational fullness, for physical health and fulfillment, for purpose and satisfaction in our work and other activities, and for closer fellowship with God. All of these are promised to us when God remakes the world, and sometimes we experience them (imperfectly) now. What have you been waiting on for a long time? Where are you tempted to take a "short-cut," as Abram and Sarai did, because you do not see God providing?
2. It is comforting to know that God was still with Hagar when everything was against her. How does the name "the God who sees me" speak to you?
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2019
May
Athlete, God CreatesAthlete, You're Made In His ImageAthlete, RestAthlete, RememberAthlete, God UnitesAthlete, Don't FallAthlete, Pain and Frustration Will EndAthlete, Stop ComparingAthlete, There Is No Middle RoadAthlete, Step Out In FaithAthlete, You're CleanAthlete, Know The CovenantAthlete, Know the NationsAthlete, Divisions ExistAthlete, God Makes PromisesAthlete, WaitAthlete, Location MattersAthlete, Who Is Melchizedek?Athlete, You Are IncludedAthlete, God Sees YouAthlete, God Gives Us Signs
June
Athlete, Be RemindedAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Reflect On His MercyAthlete, God Keeps CoveringAthlete, The Wait Is OverAthlete, God Tests Athlete, Put On The QualitiesAthlete, Be ChallengedAthlete, God works Evil For GoodAthlete, Glory is ComingAthlete, God Saves Messy PeopleAthlete, God Provides Athlete, God's in Control Athlete, God is PatientAthlete, Step Out in FaithAthlete, See the MarkersAthlete, Take Time to PrayAthlete, Let's Talk About Fresh StartsAthlete, Love is The CureAthlete, Grace is OffensiveAthlete, See the ForeshadowAthlete, Don't ForgetAthlete, God is NearAthlete, Are You Willing To Learn?Athlete, Give Thanks
July
Athlete, Cultivate IntimacyAthlete, Take ComfortAthlete, You Have An InheritanceAthlete, God Uses All of UsAthlete, ConfessAthlete, Don't DoubtAthlete, Make RoomAthlete, Ask Your QuestionsAthlete, Do Not ChargeAthlete, Be Aware of Resistance Athlete, Know Your HeartAthlete, Don't Be Stubborn Athlete, Trust JesusAthlete, Have Risky FaithAthlete, We Were Created For JoyAthlete, Understand the Already Not YetAthlete, What Are You TrustingAthlete, ReflectAthlete, You're a Royal Priest Athlete, PauseAthlete, Recognize His PresenceAthlete, Seek Justice
August
Athlete, Remember WITH not FORAthlete, David Wasn't Always PerfectAthlete, Confess to an Audience of OneAthlete, Be Honest With GodAthlete, Take NoteAthlete, Recognize the Preeminent OneAthlete, Put it to DeathAthlete, You Are Being RenewedAthlete, This is Your New UniformAthlete, Whatever You Do, Do It For JesusAthlete, Use A Different FormulaAthlete, We Are FamilyAthlete, You Have Three Deep NeedsAthlete, Fan The FlameAthlete, Start The FireAthlete, Know The AntidoteAthlete, Choose PeaceAthlete, Peace is a WeaponAthlete, It Was Not A Silent NightAthlete, This is How You Experience Peace
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