“In the day of my trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” (Psalm 86:7)

Dysfunctional households can detrimentally impact our lives. There are countless stories of men and women who grew up in troubling environments. Men and women whose stories move far beyond that embarrassing drunk uncle they hated seeing at family reunions. Instead, their stories plunge them into the choppy waters of abuse, neglect, and inhabitable conditions. Like badges of shame, they carry the scars into their adult lives. They refuse to trust others because of past betrayal. They refuse to get close to anyone because of past abandonment or absenteeism. Whatever the case, dysfunction can rob us of our hope.

Ishmael’s story is the definition of dysfunction. An afterthought, he owed his existence to Sarai’s inability to bear children. Ishmael was the backup plan. He was Plan B. He was Mr. “Just In Case.” Abram and Sarai were barren, unable to have children. Otherwise, we wouldn’t know Ishmael’s story. Sarai came up with a plan. Take my servant and have a baby with her. As present-day readers, we know this is asking for trouble (you don’t just invite another person into your marriage). But she wanted to see her husband happy (Genesis 16:1–3).

Ishmael’s mother, Hagar, was just being obedient by bearing a child for a barren couple, at her master’s request. Little did she know that this would cause Sarai to resent her and regret that Ishmael was ever born (Genesis 16:4). Then it happened. Sarai had her own child. She’d made her husband happy. She had no more use for this young boy. Hagar and Ishmael were exiled (Genesis 21:9–21). But God heard their cries.

Ishmael’s name means “God hears,” but his life up until this point was anything but God hearing. Imagine that. He was always considered “that slave woman’s child.” His own father sent him away to die, with just bread and water (a nice inheritance, right?). God hears? Yeah, right!

The young lad sat nearby as his mother wept over their impending death. His mother had reached the end of her rope. Ishmael’s life was almost over before God heard. He was in a dry place before God heard. He was severely malnourished before God heard. But God heard.

As Christians we have confidence that God hears us too. In Scripture we’re told that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us (1 John 5:14). He hears our cries (Psalm 34:17). But let’s be honest. We might find ourselves in Ishmael’s place before then, feeling ostracized and abandoned. Dysfunction might characterize our past, but God hears.

Ishmael never rejoined his dysfunctional family. He went on to start his own family, never to be a part of Abraham’s immediate household again. If you ask him, he didn’t ask for the dysfunction. He may have wanted a relationship with his father. He may have wanted to spend his days hanging out with his half-brother Isaac. But God, who was listening, worked through the dysfunction and promised to make Ishmael a great nation (Genesis 21:18).

God is listening. He may not give you the solution you want, but he will give you the solution you need. Whatever trail you’ve encountered over the past week, the past month, or past year, walk in the assurance that God hears. You have been adopted into the family of God. You are a joint heir with Jesus (Romans 8:17). It might be dry right now. You might feel like somebody’s backup plan. You may feel malnourished but rest in the hope that God hears.

 

Editors Note: This post is an excerpt from John’s book, The Tenacity of Hope, a 30-day devotional on disappointments, loss, and everything in between. Starting with Genesis and ending with Revelation, John surveys the narratives found in the Old Testament and New Testament and offers readers words of hope. The book is available as a free .pdf download for his blog subscribers. Find out more about this title on John’s site: http://johnrichardsjr.com.