When the Angel of the Lord found Hagar near a spring in the desert He had questions for her. His first question was, “Where have you come from?” Certainly the answer to this question would bring to the surface all that Hagar had endured in that place. She would be identifying with how she felt harshly treated by her mistress, and fully justified in running away. The second question would be one that would take Hagar forward as she was asked, “Where are you going?” Both of these questions could be difficult in a good situation, but we can only imagine the emotion that Hagar would be experiencing given her personal situation. We know from reading in Genesis 16 that Hagar did indeed return to Abraham and Sarah as the Angel of the Lord commanded, and we can envision how difficult it was for her to do this.
I am sure that there are many among us who have been called by the Lord to return to a place where we felt mistreated, misunderstood, or misjudged. We may have pledged that we would never go back, and yet when God says go we obey.
For me, the peace in returning to such a situation can only be because I know that I am not returning alone. I know that God is going with me and that He is not only preparing the place, but it is with a clear purpose that I am returning in the first place. When fear attempts to persuade me from responding in obedience to the Lord’s instructions, I rely on Him to bring me safely to where we are going.
Isaiah 43:2 NKJV When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you.