God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What’s wrong Hagar? Don’t be afraid, for God has heard the boy crying from the place where he is.”

Genesis 21:17

I wrote “no” on the slip of paper, folded it up, and handed it to Mrs. Byerly. Our cheerleader sponsor asked if we wanted to compete in the upcoming season.

Tears pricked my eyes as she read the answers from the folded pieces of paper. We were going.

Emotions flooded in heaving sobs. Between my tears and the pouring rain, I couldn’t see out my windshield. Suddenly, an inaudible voice spoke to my heart, “Settle down. You’re not going.”

“What do you mean we are not going? We voted. We are going!” I argued thinking I was just talking to myself.

“Settle down. You’re not going.” Peace, like I had never experienced, flowed over me.

Well, I didn’t participate in that season’s competition.  Three weeks later, I resigned from the squad because I found out I was pregnant. 

I didn’t know the Lord. I was neck deep in sin, and yet the God of the universe heard my cry, came to my rescue, and gave me peace and reassurance. 

Hagar experienced the same distress. Abram and Sarai cast her out from her home, and once again, she found herself wandering in the desert without water. She left Ishmael under a bush as she sat a distance away and wept. She couldn’t bear the thought of watching him die.

The Bible says, God heard the boy crying (vs.17a). Not only did God hear, He did something about it. Encouragement, command, and provision followed. God reminded her of His promise to make her son into a great nation and then supplied them with water.

Lord, even in our sin, You love us. You hear when we cry, provide comfort, and give us what we need. Thank you for Your faithfulness.

Johna Clemons