And the water in the skin was used up, and she placed the boy under one of the shrubs. Then she went and sat down across from him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said to herself, “Let me not see the death of the boy.” So she sat opposite him, and lifted her voice and wept. ... Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. (Gen 21,15-16.19)

For the second time Hagar is on her way from her masters. The first time she fled of her own free will, now she is banished. And each time, God's messengers stop her on her way and rescue her. The first time, they sent her back because the little child would have perished otherwise. Now they help her find water, without which she will soon die in the desert. 

Was Hagar the reason God and his angels have her in their sights and will not let her fall in her most difficult moments? Did she have such a personal relationship with Him that God guided her with His hand much more than other people? It doesn't seem so. God is clearly not coming for her sake, but for Ishmael's sake. And one might say, not for Ishmael, who was not in God's original plan, but for Abraham. So great is God's respect for his friend, so seriously does he take him, with his pros and his faults, that God will take care of his son, just because he is Abraham's.

In the moments of crisis, we are much like Hagar. We are weighed down by a difficult situation, our minds so preoccupied with an insurmountable problem that we no longer see what God is offering us and what is often so close at hand. We need to tear the veil from our eyes, and suddenly everything is different.

Jesus once said to pay attention to how we hear. But on the journey of discipleship, how we see is equally important. So often we need "ointment to rub on our eyes to see"! (Rev 3:18) 

Not only to see the truth, but often also the hope.