Long ago a boy lay dying of thirst under some bushes in a wilderness. His mouth was parched, and his strength almost gone. His mother was with him, but she could not bear to see her son die, so she moved away from the spot saying, “Let me not see the death of the child.”
The boy was suffering for his naughtiness. He had a good home and a wonderful father, Abraham, who feared God and obeyed Him. But as his son, Ishmael, grew up, he mocked his father’s other son and heir, Isaac; and God told Abraham to send the naughty boy away.
Now the boy was dying of thirst, but he remembered his father’s God, the only One who could help him, and God was gracious to him, and it says, “God heard the voice of the lad.”
How wonderful! God heard the voice of a naughty boy, who cared not for Him until he needed His help! And not only did God hear the voice of the boy, but an angel from heaven repeated the fact to his mother. Notice the words: “And the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.” Gen. 21:1717And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. (Genesis 21:17).
Then God in His great mercy to this naughty boy, showed his mother where there was a well of water, and she fetched him a cooling drink. Thus he was saved from dying of thirst.
The next thing we are told is, “And God was with the lad; and he grew, and dwelt in the wilderness, and became an archer.” This was the result of his cry which God heard.
Perhaps there is a boy or girl reading this who, like Ishmael, has been disobedient and naughty. Still you need not feel you are too bad to ask God to forgive you. He will hear your prayer of faith, if it is really a cry of sorrow for your sins. Ishmael was desperate and no one but God could help him; but in spite of his naughtiness, God heard him and spared him.
Do not go on without God, who wants to bless you. He says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psa. 50:1515And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (Psalm 50:15).
ML-05/22/1977