Genesis 24:1-27
Tuesday, 02 July 2024
“…He will send His angel before you, and you shall take a wife for my son from there.” -Genesis 24:7
We see how God is actively involved in the lives of His children-in this context in choosing a bride for Isaac, just as He brought Eve to Adam. God Almighty is keenly interested in our everyday decisions - both big and small. As disciples of Christ, it is important that we never make plans apart from God. Every decision needs to match His plans so that we would see His hand work on our behalf.
As we read God’s Word today, may our hearts be filled with joy as we see God’s hand work on behalf of Isaac to fulfill His purposes in his life. God desires to do the same for each of us too and it requires that we make some important decisions to see Him work on our behalf:
Never Compromise on His Word – Abraham knew that the God who brought him to the Promised Land never wanted him to get into a covenant relationship with the people of the land, for he was making for Himself an exclusive nation, a holy people unto Him. For the desire of God through marriage is to have godly offspring (Malachi 2:15) and this couldn’t happen if Isaac was to find a bride from Canaan.
This principle hasn’t changed for the New Testament believers. In 2Cor. 6: 14 we are warned not join together with non-believers because righteousness and wickedness cannot partner, neither can light live with darkness (cf. 2Cor.6:14). This is a call to remember whenever we get into a relationship either through marriage, business deals or plain friendship. “Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." (James 4:4)
Commit your Ways in Prayer – When Abraham chose the man for the mission, he chose a man of prayer. V.12 clearly states that even before enquiring with people which way he needed to go he enquires of God for guidance to make his mission successful. He knew that “Prayer was the only key that would help him find God’s will.” As Psalm 37: 5 says: “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.”
Through the pages of church history we read of God acting on behalf of all who committed their plans to Him. Be it George Muller whose needs were committed daily to the Lord, and he saw amazing provisions for the children under his care or Hudson Taylor for his mission China— God was there to give them all success. He is still the same unchanging God. If God has called us for specific task, no matter how difficult or how small our strength – He is able to accomplish His Work in and through our lives as we continuously commit our plans and desires to Him.
Give God the Credit – Very often all of us seek God in earnest fasting and prayer in times of need but express very little gratitude after he has given us success. In V.27, we read Eliezer’s immense gratitude expressed to God for granting him success. Eliezer understood that he humanly couldn’t do the task entrusted to Him. He needed divine guidance and once he received it, he did not focus on himself but gave all the praise and glory to God.
Do we practice this in our lives? Remember: All that we are able to accomplish in this life is just the grace of God poured out to us. As John 15:5 says: “apart from God we can do nothing”; So whatever we do we do it for the Glory of God (Col 3:17).
May our lives so be led by God that His purposes and plans would be fulfilled though our lives leaving behind a legacy for His glory!
Think on it: “The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm 37: 23)
Listen: 'Guide me Thou'
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