Abraham’s Sarah was finally given a son, the son God had long-promised. Her happiness knew no bounds until jealousy reared its ugly head when Ishmael, (Abraham’s son with Hagar), was caught mocking Sarah and her new child. As a result, Sarah demanded Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.
Abraham was hesitant—after all, Ishmael was his son, but God told him to do it, promising He would make a nation of Ishmael, which He did, but Isaac was to be the special one. Isaac was the prophesied son through which Abraham’s descendants would be named. A distressed Abraham did as he was told and sent them away.
Hagar and Ishmael left and wandered about in the wilderness of Beersheba until they ran out of water, but God heard their cries and provided a well. God stayed with Ishmael as he grew up in the wilderness of Paran where he became an archer and later married a woman from Egypt. Though Ishmael’s existence was a result of the sin of Abraham and Sarah’s lack of faith, God was still with him. God still had compassion for him and Hagar.
Throughout the bible God shows compassion for His children when they fall short, but what about unbelievers? Does He have compassion for them? We know that God intervenes on His children’s behalf, but an unbeliever rejects God’s help, doesn’t he? We know that we can’t help people who don’t want our help, but God can do anything.
Maybe He helps unbelievers through the prayers of the righteous. If we continue to pray for the lost, maybe God will answer our prayers. So, don’t give up on lost loved ones. God loves us all, and it is not His desire to see anyone perish, but for all to come to Him and have everlasting life in Heaven.
Walker Lane 