Finding Hope and Sustenance in Wilderness Moments

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound stories of Hagar and Elijah, both of whom faced dire circumstances in the wilderness of Beersheba. Hagar, cast out with her son Ishmael, faced the threat of death from thirst, while Elijah, after a triumphant victory over the prophets of Baal, fled from Jezebel's wrath, overwhelmed by fear and despair. These narratives reveal the human tendency to succumb to fear and hopelessness when confronted with overwhelming challenges. Yet, they also highlight the enduring presence and faithfulness of God, even in the most desolate places.

Hagar and Elijah's experiences remind us that God is present in our wilderness moments. Despite their despair, God provided for both of them—Hagar found a well of water, and Elijah was sustained by an angel. These stories challenge us to recognize that God is not limited to our comfort zones; He is with us in our darkest times, offering hope and sustenance. The key is to lift our voices to Him, as both Hagar and Elijah did, acknowledging our need and trusting in His provision.

The message also emphasizes the importance of not allowing fear and despair to silence us. The enemy seeks to keep us quiet, to make us believe that we are alone in our struggles. However, by lifting our voices in prayer and worship, we open ourselves to God's intervention and the realization that we are not dying in the shade but merely resting before God leads us to new life and purpose.

Ultimately, the stories of Hagar and Elijah teach us that God never abandons us in the wilderness. He transforms our trials into testimonies, our deserts into places of divine encounter. As we journey through life's challenges, we are encouraged to hold onto the experiences and lessons learned, knowing that God is for us, and He will never leave us comfortless.

Key Takeaways:

1. God's Presence in the Wilderness: Hagar and Elijah's stories remind us that God is present even in our most desolate moments. When we feel abandoned and hopeless, God is there, ready to provide and sustain us. We must lift our voices to Him, acknowledging our need and trusting in His provision. [23:38]

2. The Power of Lifting Our Voices: Both Hagar and Elijah lifted their voices to God in their despair. This act of reaching out to God is crucial, as it opens the door for His intervention. The enemy seeks to silence us, but by lifting our voices in prayer and worship, we invite God's presence and power into our situations. [21:11]

3. Recognizing God's Faithfulness: Despite their dire circumstances, God provided for Hagar and Elijah. This teaches us that God is faithful and will not abandon us in our trials. We must hold onto the truth that God is for us, and He will transform our deserts into places of divine encounter. [16:50]

4. The Importance of Resting in God: Both Hagar and Elijah found themselves resting in the wilderness. This rest was not a sign of defeat but a necessary pause before God led them to new life and purpose. We must learn to rest in God's presence, trusting that He is working even when we cannot see it. [18:15]

5. Carrying the Experience Forward: God never leaves us where we are. He uses our wilderness experiences to shape us and prepare us for what lies ahead. We must carry the lessons and encounters from these times with us, knowing that God will not leave us comfortless but will continue to guide and sustain us. [25:13]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:48] - Hagar's Despair in the Wilderness
[02:00] - Abraham's Dilemma
[03:39] - God's Promise to Ishmael
[09:58] - Elijah's Fear and Flight
[13:28] - Elijah's Despair
[14:47] - The Power of Words
[16:50] - Recognizing God's Faithfulness
[18:15] - Resting in God
[20:05] - God's Sustenance in the Wilderness
[21:11] - Lifting Our Voices
[23:38] - God's Presence in Desolation
[25:13] - Carrying the Experience Forward
[26:33] - God's Unfailing Presence
[30:25] - Surrendering Our Deserts

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 21:8-21
2. 1 Kings 19:1-8

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Observation Questions:

1. What were the circumstances that led Hagar and Ishmael into the wilderness of Beersheba? How did Hagar respond to their dire situation? [00:48]

2. Describe Elijah's emotional state after his victory over the prophets of Baal and his encounter with Jezebel. What actions did he take as a result? [09:58]

3. How did God provide for Hagar and Elijah in their moments of despair? What specific provisions did He make for each of them? [16:50]

4. What role did lifting their voices play in the experiences of Hagar and Elijah? How did this act influence their situations? [21:11]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How do the stories of Hagar and Elijah illustrate the human tendency to succumb to fear and hopelessness? What can these narratives teach us about our own responses to overwhelming challenges? [09:58]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God is present in our "wilderness moments"? How does this presence challenge the notion that God is only found in comfortable or familiar places? [23:38]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of lifting our voices in prayer and worship. How does this act invite God's intervention, and why might the enemy seek to silence us? [21:11]

4. Reflect on the concept of "resting in God" as presented in the sermon. How can this rest be seen as a necessary pause rather than a sign of defeat? [18:15]

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Application Questions:

1. Think of a time when you felt like you were in a "wilderness" situation. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now, knowing that God is present even in desolate moments? [23:38]

2. The sermon highlights the power of lifting our voices to God. What are some practical ways you can incorporate more prayer and worship into your daily routine to invite God's presence into your life? [21:11]

3. Consider a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively recognize and trust in God's faithfulness, even when the situation seems dire? [16:50]

4. Reflect on the idea of resting in God. What are some ways you can intentionally create space for rest and reflection in your life, trusting that God is working even when you cannot see it? [18:15]

5. How can you carry the lessons and encounters from your own "wilderness" experiences forward, using them to shape and prepare you for what lies ahead? [25:13]

6. Identify a specific fear or source of despair in your life. How can you lift this concern to God, trusting in His provision and presence? [21:11]

7. The sermon suggests that God transforms our trials into testimonies. Can you think of a past trial that has become a testimony in your life? How can you share this testimony with others to encourage them? [25:13]

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence in Our Wilderness
In the wilderness moments of life, when we feel abandoned and hopeless, the stories of Hagar and Elijah remind us that God is present. Hagar, cast out with her son, faced the threat of death from thirst, yet God provided a well of water. Elijah, overwhelmed by fear and despair, was sustained by an angel. These narratives challenge us to recognize that God is not limited to our comfort zones; He is with us in our darkest times, offering hope and sustenance. We must lift our voices to Him, acknowledging our need and trusting in His provision. [23:38]

Genesis 21:17-19 (ESV): "And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.' Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink."

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt alone in your struggles. How can you invite God into that memory today, trusting Him to provide and sustain you?


Day 2: The Power of Lifting Our Voices
Both Hagar and Elijah lifted their voices to God in their despair, opening the door for His intervention. The enemy seeks to silence us, making us believe we are alone in our struggles. However, by lifting our voices in prayer and worship, we invite God's presence and power into our situations. This act of reaching out to God is crucial, as it allows us to experience His intervention and realize that we are not alone. [21:11]

Psalm 34:17 (ESV): "When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel silenced by fear or despair? How can you lift your voice to God in that area today, inviting His presence and power?


Day 3: Recognizing God's Faithfulness
Despite their dire circumstances, God provided for Hagar and Elijah, teaching us that He is faithful and will not abandon us in our trials. Hagar found a well of water, and Elijah was sustained by an angel. These stories remind us to hold onto the truth that God is for us, and He will transform our deserts into places of divine encounter. We must trust in His faithfulness, knowing that He will never leave us comfortless. [16:50]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV): "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in a difficult situation. How can you carry that assurance into your current challenges?


Day 4: The Importance of Resting in God
Both Hagar and Elijah found themselves resting in the wilderness, a necessary pause before God led them to new life and purpose. This rest was not a sign of defeat but a time to trust in God's presence and work. We must learn to rest in God, trusting that He is working even when we cannot see it. This rest allows us to be renewed and prepared for the journey ahead. [18:15]

Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to pause and rest in God's presence? How can you intentionally create space for this rest today?


Day 5: Carrying the Experience Forward
God never leaves us where we are; He uses our wilderness experiences to shape us and prepare us for what lies ahead. Hagar and Elijah's stories teach us to carry the lessons and encounters from these times with us, knowing that God will not leave us comfortless but will continue to guide and sustain us. As we journey through life's challenges, we are encouraged to hold onto the experiences and lessons learned, trusting in God's unfailing presence. [25:13]

Deuteronomy 8:2 (ESV): "And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not."

Reflection: What is one lesson or encounter from a past wilderness experience that you can carry forward into your current journey? How can this shape your perspective and actions today?

Quotes

"And God said unto Abraham, let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad and because of thy bondwoman. In all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice. For in Isaac shall thy seed be called. And also of the son of the bondwoman will I make a nation, because he is thy seed." [00:34:46]

"And she went and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bow shot. For she said, let me not see the death of my child. And she sat over against him and lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the lad." [00:72:62]

"And the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven and said unto her, what aileth thee, Hagar? Fear not, for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is. Arise, lift up the lad and hold him in thine hand, for I will make him a great nation." [00:92:80]

"And God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the bottle with water. And God said unto her, what aileth thee, Hagar? And she gave the lad drink. And God was with the lad and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness and became an archer." [00:112:34]

"to have been on Abraham's lips as he kisses Ishmael goodbye but nonetheless even when you hear the word of God when the desert strikes it is very easy to forget the plan of God it is very easy to forget that we serve a God that always keeps his promise our next message is found in 1st Kings chapter 19" [00:239:49]

"by queen jezebel and fled into the wilderness despairing for his life both characters they experienced these moments of profound discouragement and temptation to give up in fact we even see it's a little deeper for elijah i don't know if he caught the words but when it says in c is it verse three and when he saw that" [00:470:09]

"whiff of fear but fear literally eats at you and you see it you can have your eyes opened as the message is relayed to you but you see it with your eyes this is what's going to happen now is it no not necessarily but the enemy tries to make you see it and for Elijah even though he had had such a mighty walk with God" [00:598:46]

"Elijah, he hears it. He sees it. He gets it into his mind that I am going to die. And it's going, it's going to be a horrible death. It's not the voice of God. It's not the voice of reason. But it is something that has been spoke into his life. And for some reason, in a moment, he lets the seed plant." [00:757:66]

"two people two messages but the issue with the receiver is it all came from somebody else one believes the worst and the other can't even believe the best can I just speak that for a minute I'm a man a man of God I make mistakes I falter and fail so I no way say that pridefully but I know he has called me" [00:887:58]

"You have a Savior that is fighting for you. You have a Savior that has died for you. Can I just give you a secret? It's not really that big a one. When Elijah was hiding in the wilderness under a juniper tree, Jesus hadn't died yet. When Hagar was thirsting to death in the wilderness, wondering about her son, Jesus had not been born yet." [00:1069:92]

"for elijah he says you know i've been better if i highlighted this in my notes and i wouldn't have to just keep scanning it is enough now oh lord take away my life for i am not better than my father's they both do something one's a little more positive than the other what i mean is one is they're wanting water" [00:1306:98]

"Both Hagar and Elijah, they experienced God's presence in a desolate wilderness. And this challenges the notion that God is only found in comfortable or familiar places. In fact, sometimes those are the hardest places to find Him. When everything's going okay and your truck starts up the first click, sometimes it's not as easy to find prayer." [00:1454:61]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
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