During this prolonged trial we have been going through over the past few months, there has been one very special thought that has brought tremendous comfort and resolve when we really felt at times like ‘this was it’, ‘this is where it all ends’.

I was asked a couple of times by onlookers: “How are you getting through all that?” Others expressed something like this: “I don’t know how you’re managing. I would have given up by now!”

And such a time as this has provided that precious opportunity. I certainly would not be able to live through this impossible trial without the strength He gives. Nobody would be able to do that!

There was a woman in the Bible. Her name was Hagar. She was forced to leave her home and flee into the desert. Perhaps she didn’t know at that time, but she was pregnant and had no means of support or sustenance. As the sun was rising on her she took refuge “by a fountain of water in the wilderness …”  Genesis 16: 7.

The Bible tells us that “the angel of the Lord” found her there and asked her two rather pointed questions we could very well relevantly ask ourselves today: “Where did you come from?” “Where will you go?” (v8).

The “angel of the Lord” was another name for the Lord Jesus, who made a pre-Bethlehem appearance to her, as He did for others in other times in the past.

She proceeded to tell Him that she was running away from her mistress after she was hard on her for becoming pregnant. Her mistress was barren, which was a mark of disgrace in their culture, and she became jealous and resented her presence in the household.

He gave to her instructions to return home and humble herself before her mistress, because the child she was to have was going to be one day a great man who would multiply into a nation of people without number. His name was going to be Ishmael, and he and his descendants would be wild people in nature, and this was true even to this day.

She addressed the One speaking with her as: “Thou God seest me” Genesis 7: 13.

These immortal words have found themselves written with indelible ink on the pages of Holy Writ for us to read and take to heart today. Imagine this; there is not a moment of the day, not a place we can go where God does not see us. He knows all about us. He knows all our thoughts, all of our comings and goings, and every word we utter!

And for those of us who are born of God and truly trusting and following our Lord Jesus, such a thought ought to be a source of great comfort as well, as it has been to me.

He Who knew all about Hagar, where she came from and why, and where she was going, knows all about us as well. He Who took care of her and gave her the ability to return home, has the ability to take care of us also, giving to us the ability to do things that do not usually come naturally.

When God looks upon the sinner before they are saved; and that could be you, He could very well be asking: ‘Where did you come from?’, and ‘Where will you go?’ God is not willing that anyone should perish, but perish they will without Him, and without being hidden in Christ. This is what sin does, it separates people like you and me from Him.

However, there is a place of safety and peace to be found. This is ‘in Christ’. Those that have trusted in Him are considered by God to be ‘in Christ’. And in answer to those same two questions we can with a holy boldness reply: “I was the guilty sinner that Jesus died to save.” “But now that I am saved and safely hidden ‘in Him’, I am on a heaven bound journey for sure.”

But the amazing thing among multitudes of wonderful things about being a Christian by the grace of God through faith alone in Him, is that we are intimately acquainted with the God Who knows and cares about us as a loving father would do, but infinitely greater!

If you, like me should find yourself facing ‘the trial of your life’, please be encouraged that He who promised to be with His people always will not forsake you now! He has a purpose for your trial and will be with you in it. You are about to learn some precious things that times of ease will never teach. And those things that you will learn will be personal treasures for you to keep forever.

These will be appreciations of the beloved Lord Jesus to enhance your daily life on your heaven bound journey, and investments for eternal ages.

Through this particular trial, I have seen the hand of God at work and witnessed Him do things that I know only He could do! And because of what I have seen Him do, and because of the things I have learned I can say with full assurance that:

And this is what God our Father desires … He wants us to walk closely to Him in a living and intimate relationship with Him. He wants us to know Him that well that we can be completely confident in Him, especially in times of suffering.

He knows what He is doing, and He knows what He wants to accomplish through those trials we  have been called upon to go through, and we must trust Him through them. He will not leave us all alone to get on with it, but will see us through providing Himself as our escape so that we may be able to bear up under the strain. (See 1 Corinthians 10: 13.)

Believe me, it will be worth it in the end. Leave everything in the capable hands of the God who knows!