The Hidden Well
Author: Ayodeji Oludapo
Date: September 26, 2024
Scripture: "And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink. " - Genesis 21:19
Devotional Thoughts
In the wilderness of Beersheba, Hagar found herself in a dire situation. Cast out from Abraham's household with her son Ishmael, she wandered aimlessly until the water in her water bag was gone. Overwhelmed by despair, she placed her son under a shrub, distancing herself so she wouldn't witness his death. In her hopelessness, she wept bitterly.
At that pivotal moment, God intervened. He heard the boy's cries and sent an angel to comfort Hagar, saying, "Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there." God then opened Hagar's eyes, and she saw a well of water. The solution to her dire need was right in front of her, but it required divine intervention for her to see it.
This narrative illustrates a profound truth: often, God's provision is within our reach, but we need Him to open our eyes to perceive it. Hagar's physical and emotional exhaustion blinded her to the resources available to her. It wasn't until she cried out in despair that God revealed the hidden well.
Practical Reflections
How many times have we been so consumed by our problems that we fail to see the solutions God has placed before us? In our moments of fear, stress, or grief, we might overlook the opportunities or help that could alleviate our burdens.
Consider the disciples after Jesus' crucifixion. On the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), they walked and talked with the resurrected Jesus but didn't recognize Him until He broke bread with them. Their sorrow blinded them to His presence.
Similarly, when Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army, fear gripped the servant. Elisha prayed, "Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see." Then the servant looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire (2 Kings 6:17). The divine protection was there all along; it just required opened eyes to see it.
These examples encourage us to seek God's perspective. When we ask Him to open our eyes, we begin to see beyond our limitations and recognize His provision and guidance.
Closing Thoughts
God is intimately aware of our struggles and is ready to provide for our needs. Like Hagar, we may feel abandoned and hopeless, but God hears our cries. By turning to Him and asking for clarity, we can discover the "hidden wells" in our lives—solutions and blessings that were there all along.
Let's make it a daily practice to seek God's insight. In doing so, we'll not only find answers to our problems but also deepen our relationship with Him, trusting in His continual provision and care.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for always hearing our cries and knowing our needs. We confess that in our distress, we often fail to see the answers You've already provided. Please open our eyes to recognize Your provision and guidance in our lives. Help us to trust You more deeply and to lean not on our own understanding. Fill us with Your peace as we rest in the knowledge that You are always with us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.