Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces
Jeremiah 23:29
 
Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 3:9
When we look at the word "rebellious" we often associate it with someone that doesn't know God. The Lord has changed my perspective recently on the meaning of "rebellious".

When I look at the word "rebellious" I think of a child that is acting out. Not only do I think of a "child" I think of a "child" that has been taught right from wrong. This "child"  does well most of the time, acknowledging the things that he or she has been taught. Sometimes, however, this "child" acts out by not heeding the parent's instruction and fails to apply the instruction to his or her life.

An example of this is the story of Sarah and Hagar. 

Hagar,  is  Abram and Sarai's  hand-maid or slave. She is an Egyptian so not only is she a slave but, she is in a foreign land. As I am thinking about her situation I can imagine how home-sick she must be. How alone she must feel! How alone she thought she was.

Abram and Sarai have been promised a child by God. Sarai is becoming impatient and "rebellious" because she wants  a child so bad and she has lost faith in what God has told her.  She tells Abram to take Hagar and to conceive a child with her. When Hagar conceives she despises Sarai for what she has done. Sarai blame's Abram for what has happened and at this point I think Abram probably "throws his hands up" and tells Sarai to do with Hagar as she wishes.

Sarai deals with Hagar badly. She mistreats her! How can someone who had no fault in the circumstance be done so wrong?  I believe Sarai was jealous that Hagar could provide a child for her husband. She knows that she was wrong for not listening to God. He had promised Sarai a child but, because she had taken matters into her own hands the situation had gotten out of control.
They had tails like scorpions, and there were stings in their tails. Their power was to hurt men five months.
Revelation 9:10
When God give me this scripture in Revelation I had no clue what I was looking up. I just knew that Revelation's is about end times so what could this scripture possibly have to do with Hagar and Sarai.  Let me show you a little about what God gave me with this scripture. 

"Tail's like scorpions" represented to me someone's mouth or tongue.  "The sting of those tails" represented the hurtful words that come out of the mouth of someone who is angry and bitter.  The word's themselves  have the power to hurt men for five months.

Have you ever said something that you wish you could take back? Maybe, in the middle of a disagreement or maybe you let the fleshly side of you be mean and hateful?  

There is death and life in the tongue and we should be very careful what we speak to others.  Not only do we cause bitterness from our words and actions but, we then take two steps back. We have to repent for the wrongs that we have done and set things right with God and the person we have mis-treated.

Hagar fled her mistress because of how she was treated. She fled into the wilderness and when she came upon a stream an "Angel of the Lord" found her in her despair.  He ask her "Where did you come from and Where are you going?"  Hagar  answered the question about where she had came from " I'm fleeing from my mistress Sarai."  However, she never answered where she was going. Most of the time when people flea from hurtful situations they do not have a destination.  They just feel the need to get away from whatever is causing the hurt.

First, the angel tells Hagar "Go back and submit to Sarai".  Why would he tell her to go back to where she was being treated harshly?  One, she was in the wilderness with no where else to go and for her to receive enough nourishment for her and her unborn child she had to go back to where she was. It might not of been the most comfortable thing to do but, in the long run it would pay off.

Have you ever asked God that question before? Why must I do this Lord? I don't like it. I'm not comfortable. Sometimes, to get where we are going things aren't always comfortable. God sees the things ahead of you while you see in the current circumstance. Keep that in mind the next time things get uncomfortable to you!

Next, the angel told her that  "I will so increase your descendants that they will be too numerous to count." He also said; " You are with child. You will name him Ishmael for the Lord has heard your misery."

The LORD  had heard her misery! Praise God! Even though her circumstance was horrible to her, God was with her. She was not alone! If you feel today that you are alone that no one hears you. I want you to know that God does. You may not can see past the circumstance your in but God sees you in your circumstance and he will walk with you through your trial. He will hold your hand and He will celebrate with you when you come out VICTORIUS! He is not only your God in the Bad times but He is God in the Good times too!

The Lord had given Hagar a new purpose in life. To care for this new life Ishmael that is growing inside of her! The well in the area that the "Angel of Lord" visited Hagar is named Beer Lahai Roi  after what Hagar said to the Angel  "You are the God who sees me" for she said "For I now see the one who sees me."

Hagar obeys and goes back to her mistress.  She gives birth to her son Ishmael. God had given her purpose in life to raise her child. Not just that but, she knew that her child had an important destiny and this also gave her purpose and courage to be obedient to God.

Despite returning to Sarai there was constant rivalry between the two women. I'm sure you can imagine the un-kind words shared between the two.

Fourteen years later God fulfills the promise in Sarai and she gave birth to a son named  Isaac. The rivalry and jealousy grew even more. Sarai wanted Isaac to be the heir of Abram. Eventually this turned into a huge confrontation and Sarai tells  Abram to cast Hagar and her son Ishmael out. Ishmael didn't help by mocking her son Isaac.

Abram did so but, with great hesitation. Something that I found amazing was that when he was sending them away he provided a gift of life (bread, water). This was to say that even though he wasn't there Hagar and her son were still under His protection! I know God had a hand in this area as well.

Hagar sets out into the desert with her son and I'm sure she is frightened but, I also believe she stepped out in faith. Eventually, the water runs out and her son is dying of thirst. She turns from her child and starts crying to the Lord and He hears them both!

"He is always there, Always listening!"  He opens her eyes to something she didn't see before "A WELL" I believe this was a well of great mercy and grace!  God not only provides instruction and discipline but he also provides encouragement and nourishment to us daily!
PRAISE the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendant will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious and full of compassion and righteous. A good man deals graciously and lends;  He will guide his affairs with discretion. Surely he will never be shaken; The righteous will be in everlasting remembrance. He will not be afraid of evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established; He will not be afraid, Until he sees his desire upon his enemies. He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever; His horn will be exalted with honor. The wicked will see it and be grieved; He will gnash his teeth and melt away; The desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalms 112
In conclusion, I want you to realize that sometimes we will hear hurtful things from the people around us. We will sometimes flea from them into our own wilderness "depression". We will feel resentment towards them for hurting us with the negative things they say but, I want you to take into consideration ALL of these scriptures.  God is telling you "Their words and wickedness will pass away." He is telling you " Do not be dismayed at their looks". He is telling you to LOOK to him because His words are tender and sweet to the soul.  The wicked will pass away and be no more but, the righteous will live on forever with Him. 

I think about this story and I think about how God can cause your "enemies" to bless you. Sarai was a good woman at heart but, because of her rebellion against what God had told her it caused a rift in a relationship. However, I see how God turned it into a blessing for Hagar because, not only was she given her freedom from slavery. She was blessed with a child that would have descendents of many! He made her fruitful for her obedience to him. He provided a purpose for her and healing balm to the sting of Sarai's actions and words! He can do the same for you. 

Regardless of your situation. I want you to remember that God is there. Abide in his commandments. Seek after Him with ALL of your heart! He will conquer and lift you above those that speak negatively against you as long as you look to him. I know this because, no matter what comes against Truth, Truth always prevails! Be kind to those that hurt you and you can see a person transformed by God's love which is the ultimate healing balm to all! Look to God because He comforts the weary! He will quicken you in your situation and give you purpose for living even through the darkest of times!

I feel like this message was meant for someone in a really dark time and He is telling you to LOOK UP! I'm here! Reach out for me! I will lift you up! Don't give up and don't look at what the world says to you or about you! I say your wonderful and perfectly made! I will let my light shine into the darkness through you! Let me in! I WILL HELP YOU! Cry out  for me! I WILL hear you! I can provide a healing balm for whatever is  hurting you right now!

I hope this helped you! I know it has opened my eyes a lot! I'm going to close with a prayer and if you need prayer or need anything there is a comment box below. If you don't want anyone to know who you are you don't have to post under your name.  God knows what you need.

Father,
 I come to you humbly right now! My heart is crying out to you for someone that is hurting! Please hear my cry for them! Send them comfort! Send them your love and build a hedge of protection around them to keep whatever is hurting them away! Father I know that you know all things! I know that you know how to fix it and how to make things better so I pray that your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Father hear me tonight and please send your blessed assurance their way. I love you Father! I'm so thankful that you walk beside me and I give you the Glory!
In Jesus Name I Pray
Amen and Amen
Thank you for your time. God bless you!
Sincerely,
Sarah

Scripture references from NKJV Spirit-Filled Life Bible

Devinely Inspired: Message In A Bottle