Thursday, July 06, 2017

God Delivers!

Image from lectionarypoems.blogspot.com

So he said, ‘I am Abraham’s servant. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, and he has become wealthy; he has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female slaves, camels and donkeys. And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and he has given him all that he has. My master made me swear, saying, “You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I live; but you shall go to my father’s house, to my kindred, and get a wife for my son.”‘I came today to the spring, and said, “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, if now you will only make successful the way I am going! I am standing here by the spring of water; let the young woman who comes out to draw, to whom I shall say, ‘Please give me a little water from your jar to drink,’ and who will say to me, ‘Drink, and I will draw for your camels also’—let her be the woman whom the Lord has appointed for my master’s son.”‘Before I had finished speaking in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her water-jar on her shoulder; and she went down to the spring, and drew. I said to her, “Please let me drink.” She quickly let down her jar from her shoulder, and said, “Drink, and I will also water your camels.” So I drank, and she also watered the camels. Then I asked her, “Whose daughter are you?” She said, “The daughter of Bethuel, Nahor’s son, whom Milcah bore to him.” So I put the ring on her nose, and the bracelets on her arms. Then I bowed my head and worshipped the Lord, and blessed the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who had led me by the right way to obtain the daughter of my master’s kinsman for his son.Now then, if you will deal loyally and truly with my master, tell me; and if not, tell me, so that I may turn either to the right hand or to the left.’ And they called Rebekah, and said to her, ‘Will you go with this man?’ She said, ‘I will.’ So they sent away their sister Rebekah and her nurse along with Abraham’s servant and his men. And they blessed Rebekah and said to her,‘May you, our sister, become thousands of myriads; may your offspring gain possession of the gates of their foes.’ Then Rebekah and her maids rose up, mounted the camels, and followed the man; thus the servant took Rebekah, and went his way.Now Isaac had come from Beer-lahai-roi, and was settled in the Negeb.Isaac went out in the evening to walk in the field; and looking up, he saw camels coming. And Rebekah looked up, and when she saw Isaac, she slipped quickly from the camel, and said to the servant, ‘Who is the man over there, walking in the field to meet us?’ The servant said, ‘It is my master.’ So she took her veil and covered herself. And the servant told Isaac all the things that he had done. Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. (Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67)

We live about 14 miles from a huge Amazon.com Fulfillment Center.  Amazon.com, in case you're not familiar with them, are a huge online operation that sells everything.  I just read that Amazon.com sells 55% of the books bought in this country.  And living so close to the fulfillment center since we've moved here to Seguin, I've ordered stuff and it arrives the next day.  This is the company that is experimenting with drone delivery, and in some places there is same-day delivery.  The story for today reminded me of Amazon.com because of how God provided a wife for Isaac.  No, Amazon.com, as far as I now does not deliver brides nor grooms.  But, God delivers!  Sarah's death was a huge blow to Isaac, and to provide for his comfort and healing, God provided just the perfect mate for him.  Prayer, obedience, trust, and work were all involved in the working of God's plan for this young man.  The servant knew God and how God works and so his prayer at the beginning spells out what he was looking for in the finding of the right bride for his master.  Rebekah, in coming out to draw water for her family, responded with the right response of not only providing water for this servant, but the offer to water his camels as well.  "We have a winner!" thought the servant, and knew this was the woman of God's choosing for Isaac.

You and I have certainly had those sorts of answers to prayers, have we not?  God provides, and God delivers!  I love the many stories I have heard or read about, where at the last minute, God steps in with just what was needed in the life of those who have shared those with us.  And God has done the same for me, and I know for you as well.  Whatever need you may be facing today, it is in God's hands and God will provide.  We have but to ask.  We have to obey, and sometimes, we have to do our part and so some work as well, but God will provide, and God will deliver.

PRAYER:  Loving God, whatever may be in this dear reader's heart is before You, and we trust You will provide and You will deliver.  Help us to obey, to trust, and to do that which blesses You.  Thank You in advance for You great work in our lives; we pray this in Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!  Perhaps, you have something to deliver for God?

Eradio Valverde