 Tuesday: Choosing Rebekah
Let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac.
Genesis 24:14
People approach choices in different ways. Some people want to control the
decision making process. They gather as much information as they can, organize
it meticulously, and evaluate it systematically. Every detail is parsed and
examined. A decision is made only after every issue and every option has
been thoroughly considered. Other people are more inclined to "flip a coin"
or leave the decisions to someone else.
The story of Rebekah becoming Isaac's wife is filled with many choices and
decisions. The most important one, though, is barely mentioned. Abraham decided
that Isaac needed a wife, so he sent a servant to find her. The servant,
who remains nameless throughout the story, discussed Abraham's instructions
at length with him and began the journey. After the servant found Rebekah,
he met with her brother, father, and mother. They had a long discussion and
made more decisions, and even Rebekah got to decide when she would leave.
Upon the servant's return, Isaac and Rebekah saw each other and their life
together began.
Something important was left out of this summary. It comes after the part
about Abraham and before the part about Rebekah. It is the part about the
servant's prayer. This nameless servant did an amazing and wonderful thing.
He did not ask God to help him choose a good wife for Isaac. Instead, he
asked God to reveal the wife that God had already chosen. The servant recognized
that God's choice was the only one that mattered.
God has wonderful plans for our lives. Along the way, we have to make choices
and decisions. Like the servant sent by Abraham, though, our best choice
will always be to follow God and listen to Him. When we walk with God, we
can know His paths. When we listen to God, we can know His will. When we
do God's will, we are blessed.
Dearest God in heaven, thank you for the wonderful plan you have for my
life. You have placed your path before me. You have spoken your words to
me. Let me know the joy of obedience to your will. Wherever you lead, I will
follow. What you say, I will hear. What you teach, I will write upon my heart.
When the path is easy, let me rejoice in your light. When the path becomes
harsh or difficult, give me the courage and strength to follow you.
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