Genesis 20-21 | Trusting Our Children to God

Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, "Do not let me see the boy die." And she sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice and wept. God heard the lad crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, "What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is. (Genesis 21:16-17)

Hagar was watching her son die. Finally, in desperation, she moved a distance away, lifted her voice, and wept. But here is the turn in the story. What Hagar did not know (nor do we) is that God cared for her son more than she realized, more than she knew.

God had heard, not the mother's prayers in this case, but the lad's crying.

Then He came, just when it was needed, and assured her that He had heard the lad's cry.

I can trust my children to God. Wherever they are, whatever they're doing, I can be confident that HE is there. "Where can I go from Thy Spirit and where can I run from Thy presence." (Psalm 139)

I am called to do certain things for my children as a parent, but there are things I cannot do and places I cannot be. I must cry out to God, but I must entrust them to the Shepherd and Guardian of their souls. I must ask Him to do what only the perfect Father can do.

Father, thank You that you love my children more than I do. That I can trust Your heart. Protect them, Lord. Provide for them. Train them. Use me in whatever You desire, and I pray that I will aggressively cooperate with You in the process. But, Lord, I know that only You can save them and guide them in the deepest recesses of their heart.