God Hears

“Early the next morning Abraham took some food and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar. He set them on her shoulders and then sent her off with the boy. She went on her way and wandered in the desert of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the boy under one of the bushes. Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she thought, "I cannot watch the boy die." And as she sat there nearby, 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. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation. “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.” Genesis 21:14-19

Hagar found herself in a desert, alone with a child and limited supplies. All she saw before her was death. A circumstance created by our own actions often leads us to the desert. Here we feel disconnected from God, darkness envelops us, and depression surrounds us all the day long. This pain I hate. Out of the depths I cry to You, Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let Your ear be attentive to my cry for mercy. Psalm 130:1-2.
Those of us, who belong to the Lord, can rejoice today because God hears His children when we cry out to Him. He hears the pain that rest upon our spirit and He hears the silent tears. Gently, He speaks to our hearts, I feel your pain, and this darkness that you now abide is just for a moment. I placed you here to grow you, to draw you closer to me. I desire a relationship with you, to commune with you. In this desert place you will open your heart to me. You will hear my call and meditate upon my word. I know you hate it here but when we leave this place you will be ready for the rest of this journey I have prepared for you. You will rejoice and give thanks because you will have known my unfailing love. Open now your eyes my daughter and see, I have placed a well of water in this desert place. Fill your cup and drink of my forgiveness, my healing, my grace, my compassion and my love. Sweet daughter I have heard your cry.

Praying the Scriptures

I will praise you Lord with all my heart. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness. When I called, you answered me, you greatly embolden me. Though You my Lord are exalted, You look kindly on the lowly. Though I walk in the midst of trouble you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. You O Lord will vindicate me; Your love Lord endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands. I will rise on the wings of the dawn because of Your great love. Fill me my God with yourself. In Jesus sweet and precious name I pray. Amen. Psalm 138:1-2b, 3, 6a, 7-8


It’s In the Valley I Grow

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It’s then I have to remember
That it’s in the valleys I grow.
If I always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
I would never appreciate God’s love
And would be living in vain.
I have so much to learn
And my growth is very slow,
Sometimes I need the mountain tops,
But it’s in the valleys I grow.
I do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
My little valleys are nothing
When I picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan’s loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I’m feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it’s in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The Mountain tops are glorious
But it’s in the valleys I grow!

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