From the shiurim on Kav Hashgacha Pratis
The explanation is: Imagine if a person was traveling in a chariot alongside the good, kind and powerful king. Is it possible that this person would prepare a bag with bread and a flask of water, in case becomes is hungry or thirsty? If he does so, he shows that he does not at all recognize the kindness of the King whom he is with, and who would surely not allow him to go hungry or to be thirsty. Obviously, the king will provide for him from his own bread give him royal goods to eat. Clearly, it would be foolishness to go up onto the king’s chariot with his old bags on his shoulders! We would be amazed by the king’s patience with him.
That is the view from on High of a person who worries and says, “What will I eat tomorrow?” displaying how he is one of those people who are lacking in faith (miketanei emunah), for he is sitting in the chariot of the King of all kings, Hakadosh Baruch Hu, and what does he have to worry about?
(Ohr Yahel, Parshas Vayeira)
How Happy Is He Who Trusts in Hashem
If we will think about it we will come to see that the same question that applies to Hagar could apply to us as well. We have a Torah from Shamayim that shows us the way. Hashem yisbarach gave us common sense, which recognizes crooked ways and everything that is wrong, and experience shows that “a light shines for the tzaddik, and happiness [is implanted] in the hearts of the just,” that “those who seek Hashem will never lack good things,” and so on. How is it possible to ignore the truth and to live in a way that disregards this knowledge and awareness?!... How happy is the person who trusts in Hashem, who casts his burden on Hashem, for He will provide for him! How much peace of mind and body will this person achieve! As the Alter zt”l wrote in his sefer Madreigas Ha’adam: He who trusts in Hashem is always strong.... He will not fear bad things happening. He eats to the satisfaction of his soul, and he does not worry about the morrow, since... his bitachon is in Hashem, so he considers all situations to be equally good. Just as Hashem prepared his needs for him today, so too will He prepare them for tomorrow, and there is no room for worry about the future.
Hagaon Hatzaddik Rav Gershon Libman zt”l, printed in Kovetz el) (Hamevakeish A, p. 33
Everything a Person Needs Is Prepared for Him
Everything exists and is prepared; it’s just that the person doesn’t see. When it truly becomes clear to him that he has nothing, and what he has is only from Hashem yisbarach, and the work of his hands and his own ideas do not increase or decrease his possessions, that the actions he takes for parnassah are only in order to make a place for the blessing to rest, then Hashem shows him that everything is prepared for him.
This is why tefillah is called avodah sheb’lev – “the labor of the heart” (Taanis 2a). The root of the word Avodah is eved – a slave, for a slave can own nothing; he must depend on his master for everything. Whatever a slave acquires automatically becomes his master’s property (Pesachim 88b). [Our task is to realize that we are Hashem’s avadim and are dependent on Him for everything; therefore,] it is forbidden to worry about the morrow.
Therefore, the midrash concludes that Hagar was “one of those who are lacking emunah.” Chazal consider the fact that she was afraid that the well would disappear and that she did something extraneous to be a lack of emunah. This is because if it is desirable on High, then everything is prepared for her. Therefore, she should not have filled the jug on her own, because when she would need the water she would definitely get it. Even though Yishmael was sick and endangered, she should have known that one who trusts in Hashem lacks for nothing. As it is written (Yirmeyahu 17:7), “Blessed is the man...and Hashem shall be his fortress.” But when a person does not trust, he truly needs to work hard and find means of parnassah and the like, unlike one who trusts in Hashem.
(Chiddushei HaRim, Parshas Vayeira)
We Are in the Chariot of the King
How could Chazal call this a lack of emunah? A woman and her critically ill son are wandering in the desolate desert and are in great danger, and a miracle is wrought for them and they find a well of water. Why shouldn’t she make sure to fill her jug?
