But Are You With Me?

Genesis 16:13 Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are God Who Sees”; for she said, “Have I not even here [in the wilderness] remained alive after seeing Him [who sees me with understanding and compassion]?”

Students, theologians, pastors, priests, worship leaders, chaplains and Christian educators, I would like to start my reflection today with a reflective question of has anyone pondered of what it means to be the Salt of the Earth and the Light in a world that seems permeated with spiritual darkness?

As Gospel spreaders, what is Good News to those outside the community of faith whose world seems to have no light?

What is Good News to those victimized by racial trauma or discrimination?

What is Good News to those who have been sexually traumzatized by people with their last name?

What is Good News to those whose best effort cant even get them out of their predicament?

What is Good News to those who may have heard others say that God is good all the time but all this person seems to see is the worst aspects of life?

In Genesis 16 the Scripture records about a woman who knows about darkness. She knows about being used for her body. She knows what its like to be disconnected from God’s people when even God’s people become dissatisfied.

Hagar is the fertile servant of God’s chosen but impatient Abram and Sarai, who unveils her bitterness when she was not invited to the table to discuss if her womb could be used to birth the promised child. Hagar is the victim of when God’s chosen people decided to follow the culture of surrogacy when they serve a God who only communicated to them through faith. Hagar is a woman who had a man willing to have sexual intercourse with her but who would not intervene when it was an opportunity to affirm her dignity. Hagar was not rejected by the the faithless, she was rejected by the same Abraham and Sarah that are in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11.

Oh how shameful it is when those called to bring hope, are the ones that leave others hopeless.

Have you ever heard of a people who have been used for their bodies for others to pursue their promise? Have you ever heard of a people who get called names for sharing their discontentment for their mistreatment? Have you ever heard of a people who remain fruitful despite not always being invited? Oh I wish I had time, so let me get back to Hagar.

After such harsh treatment, Hagar runs from Abram and Sarai. So then there is a marginalized woman, pregnant, disconnected from the child’s father, isolated, likely angry and depressed. Hagar was in a dark space.

I know someone is saying Brother Chaplain, I thought you said something about Good News earlier. I’m so glad you mentioned that.

Despite Hagar being in this dark space and distanced from people, God shows up. That can preach all by Itself. That in Hagar’s darkest hour God shows up.

And what blesses me is God speakes to Hagar.

We do not know the names of too many Egyptian slave women in the text, but we know Hagar. We know God spoke to many men in the Scripture, but someone in here should be glad that though Hagar fit so many categories of marginalizatio, the Lord spoke to her.

She didn’t need an intercessor. She didn’t need a high priest. She didnt need a prophet. Arent you glad that this marginalized woman got to hear from the Lord all by herself?

In the flesh we love a happy ending that what was bad, got fixed and everything is happily ever after. But this is not what the Bible says about Hagar’s situation.

The Lord did not tell Hagar He was going to fix her. He did not tell her he was going to fix Abram and Sarai. The Lord didnt event tell Hagar that she was going to find another husband or covering for her son who is to come.

The Lord simply says Hagar, I hear you, I see you. The amplified version goes a little further to say the Lord understands her and is compassionate to her.

What healing comes when in your darkest season, someone acknowledges you, listens to you and treats you with compassion.

Even for we theologians, we need a reminder that despite what we encounter, the Lord hears us, sees us and is with us.

My five year old son is terrified to go upstairs in the dark but will certainly go up stairs courageously if he knows his daddy is with him.

I wonder if there is anyone here at chapel who is willing to endure the darkest season as long as they know that God is with them.

So next time you theologian see someone in a dark season, you have to let them know that you serve a God who hears and sees those who put their trust in Him.

Just ask Joshua: be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Just ask David: Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

As pastoral care providers, we may not be able to fix people’s dark but we can point them to the Light.

When they get to the Light, then they will know for themselves that the Christ we serve is a Keeper.

They will know that He is a very present help in time of trouble.

They shall only Christ can give peace in darkness that surpasses all understanding. They shall know the whether poor or rich, black or white, American or immigrant, happy or depressed:

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.