Courage in Times of Trouble
Hagar is a strong illustration of how unfair, difficult and exclusive life can be for woman in today’s world. Hagar somehow maintained her faith in the LORD and her obedience to Him for her survival. Even in the darkest loneliest time of her life in the desert there was hope in the LORD to save her and her son from death.
Hagar is an example of women who are excluded or even despised by the people around them. Hagar was an Egyptian girl who was the slave to Sarah, who was the wife of Abraham. Hagar never was accepted by the Hebrew people either before or after she had Ishmael. She had to face discrimination in many forms.
Hagar was a victim of circumstances that were beyond her control. She had no one on her side she was away from everyone she knew, her tradition, and her family. She had no choice in her circumstances and when Sarah mistreated her she had no recourse and nowhere to turn. Hagar had no control of her own life yet she did turn to the LORD God when she was in the desert in the most distressing time of her life.
It is not uncommon for women or even young girls to experience different times of discrimination such as substandard education; boys are usually given more attention in the math and science than girls are. When it comes to the social class woman will always be second class citizens.
Our world has always been full of discrimination, slavery and poverty. There will always be a time in the life of a woman when there are circumstances and conditions that are not under her control. There will be times when she feels like she is alone and helpless. That is when faith and courage comes into play in her life.
It is when we are at our weakest when become at our strongest. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
Moral courage is an essential quality that is vital for those who seek to change their world view which can be a very painful process to change. There is much spoken of in the Bible about being courageous and being strong. Moses spoke to Joshua about being strong and of a good courage when Joshua was going out conquering and bringing His people into the lands the LORD has given them. (Deuteronomy 31:6-23).
Hagar ran away from Sarah twice and both times an angel of the LORD appeared to her and gave her encouragement and hope. Just like Hagar we need to remember to wait on the LORD in our life situations and we will receive encouragement and hope. Psalm 27:14 is a reminder “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. “
The LORD God alone knows the best way to train His people and prepare them for the task or mission they will be asked to do. We are living in hard lonely times full of discrimination, injustice and prejudice. We need to live our faith in the LORD and be obedient to His training so we can be of use to Him in these times.
Jesus had the courage and fought for His beliefs and ultimately He was crucified for His beliefs. It is easy for us to say it was by the suffering of Jesus that we are cleaned from our sins. Yet, then we claim it is our suffering that makes us stronger and more courageous. We are justified by faith not by anything we do but what Jesus did in our place.
Romans 5:1-5:8 expresses it this way; “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Hagar had to have courage to return to her mistress, Sarah, knowing that she was going to be mistreated and looked down upon. She knew the LORD expected her to return her mistress, and submit herself under the hand of Sarah. The angel of the LORD also said to Hagar that He will multiply her seed exceedingly. Her child would be a son and she should call his name Ismael; because the LORD has heard your affliction. Ismael would be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. (Genesis 16: 7-12).
This encounter gave Hagar a purpose and it made it easier to be faithful and have courage to endure whatever it took to endure because that is what the LORD expected her to do. We have to take our lead from Hagar and be prepared to listen to the expectation that the LORD has for our lives as women and then have the courage to endure whatever it takes to be what He wants us to be in our lives.
Cite Article Source
MLA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne “Courage in Times of Trouble: .” Becker Bible Studies Library Oct 2014.<https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1790,>.
APA Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014, October) “Courage in Times of Trouble:.” Becker Bible Studies Library. Retrieved from https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1790,.
Chicago Style Citation:
Holstein, Joanne (2014) “Courage in Times of Trouble:.” Becker Bible Studies Library (October), https://guidedbiblestudies.com/?p=1790, (accessed).
Joanne B. Holstein is a Becker Bible Studies teacher and author of Guided Bible Studies for Hungry Christians. She has received her Master of Science degree in Psychology/Christian Counseling with honors from Liberty University. She is well-known as a counselor to Christian faithful who are struggling with tremendous burden in these difficult times. She is a leading authority on the history of development of the Christian churches and the practices and beliefs of world religions and cults.
