Genesis Chapter 24: Verses, 21, 26 and 27 (NLT Translation)
The servant watched her in silence, wondering whether or not the LORD had given him success in his mission.
The man bowed low and worshiped the LORD. “Praise the LORD, the God of my master Abraham,” he said. “The LORD has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.”
Abraham’s servant was given an extremely important commission to find a wife for his master’s beloved son from “back home” amongst Abraham’s own kin. Faced with such a daunting task, this loyal servant did the right thing – he prayed to God and asked for specific guidance to lead him to the right person. (Genesis Chapter 24: verses 12 -14)
His initial meeting with Rebekah, which we read of in verses 17 to 20 of this chapter, appeared to have answered the prayer he had made, but he didn’t jump in straight away. He watched and waited until he got the chance to find out who she was. When he discovered she was the granddaughter of Abraham’s brother, this was the confirmation that God had answered his prayer.
Its not wrong to wait for confirmation on an important decision, especially if at first, we don’t know all of the facts. If we are really seeking to follow God’s direction, He will certainly give it to us. Caution is sometimes wise, and is not the same as a lack of faith.
However, once the servant knew his prayer had indeed been answered, he was not slow to acknowledge this very publicly, and he was quick to thank God for His guidance. We must also never forget to acknowledge and give God thanks for every answered prayer – even publicly when we are given the opportunity. It builds up other people’s faith as well as our own, and its only right to thank God for His intervention.
Imagine how Rebekah felt as she listened to the servant’s story and realised that she was the answer to his prayer. Perhaps it was this that gave her the courage to go with him to Canaan and agree to become Isaac’s wife.
By sharing our stories of answered prayer we too might encourage someone else on their life journey, even if its not as big a decision as accepting a marriage proposal!
Dear God,
Thank you for the lesson learned from the servant’s example. May I too always ask for your guidance in the decisions I make, and may I never be slow to say thank you for every answered prayer, whether the matter is big or small.
I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen