Meet Rebekah, recognized among the matriarchs of faith in the Bible. She was willing to leave her family to go with Abraham's servant, thus fulfilling God's plan for her life. Rebekah appeared in Genesis 24 as the daughter of Bethuel [V.24], Laban's Sister [V.29] and wife to Isaac [V. 67], who was the promised son of Abraham. Later in Genesis 25:21-23, we see Rebekah as the mother of twin sons, Esau and Jacob.
Abraham's directive to his servant was precise: "thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindreds and take a wife, unto my son Isaac", [Gen. 24:4]. The servant journeyed in obedience and faith in Abraham's God, unto the city of Nahor. There the Lord answered his prayer with a sign, by sending Rebekah to give him and his camels water to drink.
Contributor: Natalee Bailey-Harrison
In biblical narrative Rebekah is depicted as a strong woman, bringing water for ten [10] thirsty camels. "And she hasted, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again unto the well to draw water, and drew for all his camels." [Gen. 24:20]. She was assertive, very attractive, a maiden, no man had known [Gen. 24:16].
Rebekah was a woman of great faith, who trusted God's plan for her life, even though she was uncertain about the future. She demonstrated a remarkable willingness to leave her home and everything she was accustomed to, to become Isaac's bride. When asked by her family, if she would go with Abraham's servant, Rebekah responded decisively, "I will go",
[V. 58]. This unwavering declaration by Rebekah represents tremendous faith and trust in the divine plan that the Lord had for her life.
Rebekah was an integral part of God's promise to Abraham, that he would be the father of a great nation [Gen.17:4]. God answered Abraham's prayer by sending a wife for his son Isaac. This was God's plan, in God's timing. When Isaac heard about the eventful encounter that the servant had with Rebekah and the details of God's providential direction, he "took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her..." [Gen. 24:67].
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Surrendering is not a one-off decision; it is a continuous process of giving our situation over to the Lord. It is relinquishing our plan and submitting to God's perfect plan, it's letting go of what we know so that we can experience the unknown. Surrendering requires, setting "your mind on things above, not on earthly things", [Colossians 3:2]. Rebekah gave up everything [her plan] and responded "YES!", to God's plan [the unknown].
Perhaps you're experiencing a mundane moment in your life, and you're anxious to make new plans and chase after your goals. Leverage, this moment to make sure that your plans are aligned with God; see this time as an opportunity to prayerfully seek God and grow deeper in your walk of faith. God was with Rebekah as she carried out her 'mundane' tasks and it was through these seemingly ordinary experiences, that God executed his extraordinary plan.
God is faithful in His plans and His timing. He is calling us to a place of total reliance on Him. A place of trusting in His plan, trusting in His timing, trusting in His process, and trusting His purpose. Wherever you find yourself, whether low in the valley, high on the mountaintop, or in the middle of a crossroad, be assured that God is there with you, and he has a plan for your life [Jeremiah 29:11]. Know that God will "instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with my eye", declares the Lord [Psalm 32:8].
THINKING IT OVER
Are you at a crossroad in your life and the next step seem unclear?
Scripture Insight: "Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established" [Proverbs 16:3].
Do you believe that God has a plan for your life?
Scripture Insight: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." [Jeremiah 29:11].
God's plan includes all His people.
Scripture Insight: "But, as it is written, "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him" [1 Corinthians 2:9].
Scripture Insight: "And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans" [Proverbs 16:3].
PRAYER FOCUS
Ask God to help you to walk faithfully and humbly.
Pray that God's purpose for your life becomes clear, as you walk in His will
Ask God to grant you His grace and prepare you to receive the plans He has for you.
Give God thanks for the areas of your life that are totally surrendered to His leading.
Pray for those around you, who are afraid to give up their plans for God's perfect plan.
Want to pray with us? Sign-up to join our Prayer and WhatsApp Groups.
Comments