Scripture:
Genesis 24:12-14 ESV
[12] And he said, “O Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today and show steadfast love to my master Abraham. [13] Behold, I am standing by the spring of water, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. [14] Let the young woman to whom I shall say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who shall say, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels’—let her be the one whom you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this, I shall know that you have shown steadfast love to my master.”
[26] The man bowed his head and worshiped the Lord [27] and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”
[50] Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, “The thing has come from the Lord; we can not speak to you bad or good. [51] Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master’s son, as the Lord has spoken.”
Observation:
Abraham’s servant was told to get a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s family. Once he had made the long journey to Abraham’s native land, he stopped to lift his prayer to the LORD for HIS blessings on in. Not only did he pray, but he was also specific about his request. When GOD answered his specific request, with the exact answer the servant asked for, there was no way to deny what was supposed to happen from there. One of the things that stands out to me is that once the request was answered, the servant went back to prayer to thank GOD for answering his prayer. My third and final observation is that when something is from GOD, no one will be able to deny it. After the servant tells his story to Rebekah’s family, they see GOD’S hand in it and decide not to delay the process, sending their daughter to be married to Isaac, Abraham’s one and only son.
Application:
Lifting up everything we do to GOD is a vital part of Christ’s followers’ lives. Being specific in prayer is also very important. I want to tell a story, but I don’t want you guys to think I’m dwelling on an issue. It is, however, a very important issue for me.
I prayed for my wife way before I ever met her. I was specific in my prayer, and I still remember it clearly. What was prayed and how it was said. You can ask others who have heard the story, and they can run it down to you. I also thanked HIM when HE answered my prayer. My wife fits all the characteristics that I asked for. She is a beautifully tattooed woman who understands addiction, for the most part. The one part that she doesn’t get is how to stay clean. I believe that’s the part GOD is working on.
Anyway, my point is that when we pray, we need to make our request known to GOD so that HIS peace that passes all understanding will guard our hearts in Christ Jesus Phillipines 4:6-7. We also need to thank HIM when HE answers. The third part of my application of this scripture is when something is from GOD, no one will be able to deny it. Now that being said, I’m not saying that it will always feel good, but if it’s not good, then HE is not done.
Prayer:
Father, we thank You for prayer and the example you give us here in Your Word. We pray that You continue to teach us how to pray. So that when we lift up our prayers to You, we know that it is answered and the answer is exactly what you want for us.
I want to pray specifically for my wife today, Father, that you would show her how to get off the drugs and that she would come home. I know that you have ordained this union, and I know it’s not an easy path. My desire is to be obedient to what you have called me to. Even if it hurts. I still want you above all else. I still want you. But I know that if it’s not good, you’re not done, and I am resting in that it’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.