So you have a word from the Lord. How do you refrain from helping God to perfect what He shared with you?
Rebekah’s life was characterized by the hand of God orchestrating key milestones in her life. God had blessed her future father-in-law, Abraham, who after years of waiting had received the promised son, Isaac. Through Isaac he would be the father of many nations. It was the reason that Abraham instructed his servant Eliezer not to get a wife for his son from Canaan where he lived. Instead, he needed to get her from Abraham’s family where he had come from.
It must have been God’s design then for Rebekah to just happen to be from Abraham’s family and be at the Spring- at the same time as Eliezer was praying. As we submit our lives to God, he has promised to lead us by His Holy Spirit.
Psalms 32:8 that I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. As we develop a relationship with the Holy spirit, we may find that,he causes us to be at the right place at the right time. Perhaps just when someone is talking about a business opportunity that you have been waiting on God for and you are there. Or you meet an old friend and they tell you of a scholarship that you’ve been wondering how to apply for and you perhaps never see this friend again. The Spirit of God who knows the mind of God about us orchestrates moments in our lives, if only we can learn how to be sensitive to his leading.
In Isaiah 46 :11 in the Christian standard bible version we read- that I call a bird of prey from the east, a man for my purpose from a far country. Yes, I have spoken; so I will also bring it about. I have planned it; I will also do it. Rebekah possibly wasn’t aware of the events that would unfold on her normal day that would mark a change in her life, but God did. Remember God had entered a covenant with Abraham. So, it mattered to God who Isaac married.
Fast forward and she is now married but can’t have children. Her husband prayed for her and God opened her womb. In Genesis 25:22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.23 And the Lord said to her:“ Two nations are in your womb, Two peoples shall be separated from your body; One people shall be stronger than the other, And the older shall serve the younger.”
Let’s reflect on how she went ahead of God. It’s years later and Isaac is about to die. She overhears a conversation between Esau, her first born and her husband. And no, that’s not what God said…. Isaac had instructed Esau to go out to the field and hunt game for him. He was then to make savory food as Isaac loved for him to eat and then bless him before his death.
What do we do when we have a word from the Lord, and we can see circumstances not aligning or other actions are being taken that are contrary to what we know God has spoken? If you have seen God’s hand orchestrating significant moments in your life and fulfilling his word to you, don’t be tempted for this one time to help God. Rebekah did and so hatched a plan to deceive her husband. She advised Jacob to wear goats’ skin to feel like his brother who was hairy. She also offered to cook the savory food that she knew her husband loved-all this to be done before Esau was back and Jacob would already have been blessed. The end result was hatred between her sons with Esau vowing to kill his brother Jacob for stealing his first-born blessing after Isaac blessed him thinking it was Esau. She had forgotten how God had divinely led her to her husband.
Does God need our help to fulfil his word?
Rest in the fact that God will perfect that which concerns you. Psalms 138:8 says that the Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
When you are tempted to be anxious or worried at how God will work it out, turn your anxious thoughts into prayer. Let the Holy spirit who dwells in you know how you feel about waiting for God to fulfil his word.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and he promises that the peace he gives, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Trust in the integrity of who God is. Because God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good-Numbers 23:19
Seek to also know what God wants you to learn while you wait. Does he want you to be more aggressive in prayer? Daniel didn’t receive his answer until the last day of his 21 days of fasting despite his answer being released on the first day. Does God want you to rely more on him? Does he want to draw you closer or might he be building endurance in you, contentment in your single hood? You will make a great partner when you are truly satisfied in God.
Had Rebekah waited for God to fulfil his word in his own way and timing, she would not have caused her sons pain, nor brewed hatred or the many years of separation. Look back at paths God has walked with you before and lean on the Holy spirit as you wait patiently -for his que on this one too. Do not fret.
(Psalms 37:7,Numbers 23:19,Philippians 4:6-7,Psalms 138:8,Psalms 32:8,Isaiah 46 :11,Genesis 25:22)
No Comments