Being on the way

"Then she quickly emptied her pitcher into the trough" ( Art Journal - V. Nesdoly)

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Genesis 24:1-27

 
TO CHEW ON: “Then the man bowed down his head and worshiped the LORD. And he said, ‘Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken His mercy and His truth toward my master. As for me, being on the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master’s brethren.’” Genesis 24:26,27


I can imagine the self-conversation Abraham’s servant has as he travels back to Ur to fulfill his master’s wishes to get a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s relatives:

This is crazy. How will I ever find those relatives.

Maybe Abraham’s God will be with me. My boss sounded pretty confident (Genesis 24:7).

But this is a deity of whom Abraham doesn’t even have an image. Is he real?

I’m nearing the place he told me about. How will I know where to go next? How will I recognize Abraham’s people?  If I find a girl, will she even want to come? Help!

It is at this point, I imagine, Abraham’s servant utters a prayer of his own—a very practical prayer that if answered would solve his real problem of finding the right woman for Isaac.

Can’t you just feel his heart begin to pound as beautiful Rebekah comes out and proceeds to fulfill all the conditions of his prayer? Talk about the sun beaming from behind clouds showing the servant: I, Abraham’s God, am real. I am here. And You are in the very place you should be!

Perhaps you have experienced moments like that—moments that remind you that God has been with you, guiding you all the time. Times when the brightness of His favour seems to break through the clouds of confusion, illuminating your situation with divine certainty and benediction.

I know I have. But most of the time we operate like Abraham’s servant through most of that long journey—not quite sure, but faithfully staying "on the way” the best we know how. Let’s take heart from Abraham’s servant and stay the course.

Some promises of Gods guidance:

• He illumines our path with instruction and teaching - Psalm 32:8.

• Sometimes we have to step out in faith. God’s reassurance that we’ve made the right move comes later - Isaiah 30:21.

• God also goes before us. As we follow Him, we learn to know and recognize His voice - John 10:4.

• He has promised to guide us lifelong - Psalm 48:14.

PRAYER: Dear Father, help me to faithfully stay on the way, even when the path to take seems unclear. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.