So this morning I was reading in Genesis 24 about the story of Abraham’s servant being sent to Abraham’s homeland to find a wife for Isaac. The Spirit was talking up a storm to me. Here are a four lessons He taught me. Check it out!
NUMBER ONE – RELATIONSHIP DRIVES OUT FEAR
When the servant was told what he was to do and expressed doubt, Abraham’s response to the doubt was “the Lord, BEFORE WHOM I HAVE WALKED, will send His angel before you” (Genesis 24:7). Because of Abraham’s ongoing intimate relationship with God, he had no fear, but expressed faith that God had this trip under control.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)
NUMBER TWO – GOD GOES BEFORE US
Look at that verse again for another nugget of truth. “the Lord, before whom I have walked, will send His angel BEFORE you…“
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid;
do not be discouraged.” (Deut. 31:8)
When the servant arrived, he PRAYED” (24:12) and “BEFORE he had finished praying” (24:15), there was Rebekah coming. The servant’s prayer was answered. Why? Because God had gone BEFORE him and prepared the answer to the prayer before he even prayed it!!!
NUMBER THREE – GOD DESERVES WORSHIP AND PRAISE
Every step of the way, as answers to prayer were revealed, the servant “bowed down to the ground and he WORSHIPED and PRAISED the Lord.” (24:26, 52). He had a heart of gratitude for God’s goodness and provision.
“O come, let us worship and bow down:
let us kneel before the LORD our maker.” (Psalm 95:6)
NUMBER FOUR – HUMILITY IS KEY
What a humble attitude this servant had. He took absolutely ZERO credit for the successful outcome of this journey. This was evident through his immediate bowing down and worshiping God when prayer was answered.
“The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned,
so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'” (Isaiah 14:24)
What an honor this servant received that here in the pages of God’s Word, his part in the story is recorded. We need not ever try to elevate ourselves or become proud when God uses us in His divine plan. Humility, then honor…in God’s time, in God’s way.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,
that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
Remember that you are in a relationship with the Creator of all things, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. If God sends you to accomplish something, know that He will arrive before you, making clear the way. And then, when you see all that He is doing, pause to praise and worship Him. Realize that HE is the One who is accomplishing the task through you, and be humble.