In Dry Places

Sermon Notes

Walking with God isn't EASY.

[Genesis 16:5-6] Then Sarai said to Abram, "This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she's pregnant she treats me with contempt. The LORD will show who's wrong--you or me!" [6] Abram replied, "Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit." Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.

God ALWAYS finds us.

[Psalm 34:17-19] The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. [18] The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. [19] The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.

God sees you in your BROKENNESS.

[Genesis 16:7-8] The angel of the LORD found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. [8] The angel said to her, "Hagar, Sarai's servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?" "I'm running away from my mistress, Sarai," she replied.

God sees you for who you will BECOME.

[Genesis 16:11, 13] And the angel also said, "You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means 'God hears'), for the LORD has heard your cry of distress. [13] Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, "You are the God who sees me." She also said, "Have I truly seen the One who sees me?"

We serve a God who SEES us.

[Genesis 21:14-16] So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar's shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba. [15] When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush. [16] Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. "I don't want to watch the boy die," she said, as she burst into tears.

[Genesis 21:17] But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, "Hagar, what's wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

The same God who SAW her before HEARS them now.

[Genesis 21:19] Then God opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.

Your provision may be CLOSER than you think.

[Psalm 139:7] I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!