# 189 The Prodigal Son

The Book of Genesis

Day 189

Ge 21:15 And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs.

 16 Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, "Let me not see the death of the boy." So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept.

 17 And God heard the voice of the lad. Then the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said to her, "What ails you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Do you have a prodigal son or daughter? Take heart from this account of Ishmael and Hagar. Hagar did what she could for the boy, even placing him under the shade of a shrub when the water ran out, and then she backed off.  She kept him within view and then poured her heart out to God!  “She feared for his life, and God responds to her with His classic response “Fear not!”

And why should she have fear removed? Because God had heard, not only her voice, but the voice of Ishmael, and He heard the prayer of Ishmael, right where he was at! Remember the prodigal son parable in the Gospel of Luke? Remember where he was at, when he came to his senses? It was not a pretty place.

Ishmael literally had come to the end of himself, and God heard his cry right where he was at. This is the way it must be for all of our children. They have to reach a point where they too come to an end to themselves and cry out to God, and make their faith their own.

This is a difficult time for all parents, but it must be so.  There is a time when the spiritual sustenance that you have provided for them will dry up, and they must be drawn to, and come to, the Living Water of Jesus themselves.  Do what you can for them while they are in your care, but there will come a time when you must back off and allow God to work.

When this time comes, be like Hagar. Weep! Cry out to God as long as there is life in your child. Never give up hope! Keep pounding the gates of heaven asking God to leave the 99 and get your “one.”    

 Pray: Lord, hear the cry of the mournful parents praying for their child! Release the hounds of heaven to bring these lost sheep home. Satisfy their souls with Your Living Water, that they may live.