Woman sitting alone on a bench who is crying

Who Hears Your Cries When You Long for Comfort?

Who hears your cries when you long for comfort? When you’re doubled over in pain, fear, and grief, you may feel no one hears your cries. I wish I could say that I’ve never felt that way, but I have.

In the Old Testament, in Genesis 21:8–21, you will find the story of Hagar and her son, Ishmael. When Isaac was weaned, Abraham held a great feast. However, Ishmael “was mocking.”

Sarah wouldn’t tolerate that and said to Abraham in verse 8, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.”

Although this grieved Abraham, God told him in verses 12–13 to listen to Sarah. God comforted Abraham when he said, “I will make the son of the slave into a nation also, because he is your offspring.”

The next morning, Abraham gave Hagar food and water and sent her and Ishmael off.

Imagine her grief when the water ran out. She said in verse 16, “I cannot watch the boy die” and sobbed.

Verse 17 says, “God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid: God has heard the boy crying . . .”

As God heard both Hagar and Ishmael’s cries, he will hear your cries when you long for comfort.

The angel of God said “Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water” (verse 18). God could see what Hagar and Ishmael needed, and he provided.

God can see what you need, and he will provide for you, too.

God not only took care of the immediate needs of Hagar and Ishmael, verse 20 says, “God was with the boy as he grew up.”

God loves you and will be with you, too.

Perhaps you cry because you miss a loved one. Maybe you cry because a family member or acquaintance sexually abused you and stole your innocence when you were a child. You may cry because you raised your children in the faith and now they are prodigals.

The next time you cry in anguish, remember that God hears your cries for comfort. He will answer you, maybe not as fast as you would like, but he will answer you and take care of you.

Psalm 10:17: “Lord, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them” (NLT).

Prayer: Dear God, I count on you to hear my cries and comfort me. Amen.

Copyright © I.V.MMXVIII

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