From today’s reading...
God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. ‘What is wrong, Hagar?’ he asked. ‘Do not be afraid, for God has heard the boy’s cry in his plight. Go and pick the boy up and hold him safe, for I shall make him into a great nation.’” Genesis 21:17-18
In Matthew 8 today, we see Jesus driven away from “the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side” (v28) by “the whole city” (v34).
What was Hagar’s crime?
She did what she was ordered to do—and what was customary at the time.
What did Jesus do?
He drove two demons out of the tombs and to their deaths, which freed up a path the herdsmen of the area could then use.
We know God was always with Hagar, Ishmael, and Jesus.
He is also always with you and me, especially when we are scorned, spurned, and persecuted for doing what is right.
So just do what is right, since it’s the only way to...
Stay the course.
Keep the faith.
Endure.
Now go sell something.