CHRIST FOR PRISONERS WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, April 22, 2007

No Win Situations - Genesis 16: 1-15

Sometimes we are powerless because of our stations in life. We may be in a situation where other people have power over us. We may feel that we are trapped by the demands of others and that there’s no way to please them all. It’s a double bind: To please one is to disappoint another. Sometimes when we feel stuck and frustrated with our relationships, we look for a measure of control by escaping through our addictive behaviors.

Hagar is a picture of powerlessness. She had no rights. As a girl, she was a slave to Sarai and Abram. When they were upset because Sarai could not bear children, Hagar was given to Abram as a surrogate. When she did become pregnant, as they had wanted, Sarai was so jealous that she beat Hagar, and Hagar ran away. All alone out in the wilderness, she was met by an angel who gave her an amazing message: “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.’ Then he added, ‘I will give you more descendants than you can count.’ And the angel also said, ‘You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael [which means “God hears”] for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.’” [Genesis 16: 9-11]

When we are caught in no-win situations, it’s tempting to run away through our addictive/compulsive escape hatches. At times like these God is there, and he is listening to our woes. We need to learn to express our pain to God instead of just trying to escape it. He hears our cries and is willing to give us hope for the future.

Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
¹³ Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 (RVR)
¹³ Y el Dios de esperanza os llene de todo gozo y paz en el creer, para que abundéis en esperanza por el poder del Espíritu Santo.

Psalms 27:14 (NKJV)
¹⁴ Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Psalms 27:14 (RVR)
¹⁴ Aguarda a Jehová; Esfuérzate, y aliéntese tu corazón; Sí, espera a Jehová.

Psalms 43:5 (NKJV)
⁵ Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Psalms 43:5 (RVR)
⁵ ¿Por qué te abates, oh alma mía, Y por qué te turbas dentro de mí? Espera en Dios; porque aún he de alabarle, Salvación mía y Dios mío.

Proverbs 10:28 (NKJV)
²⁸ The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.

Proverbs 10:28 (RVR)
²⁸ La esperanza de los justos es alegría; Mas la esperanza de los impíos perecerá.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NKJV)
¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (RVR)
¹⁷ Porque esta leve tribulación momentánea produce en nosotros un cada vez más excelente y eterno peso de gloria;
¹⁸ no mirando nosotros las cosas que se ven, sino las que no se ven; pues las cosas que se ven son temporales, pero las que no se ven son eternas.

Remember, When you read the Word of God you will find help in all your troubles. You will also find that your faith will start to grow. As the Word is read it goes into your mind, down to you heart but it does not stay there. The Bible says, “Out of the mouth speaketh…” The Word will begin to come out of your mouth in every situation. Praise the Lord.