Genesis 24:27 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the LORD led me to the house of my master's brethren.
The eldest servant of Abraham’s house (presumably Eliezer, Genesis 24:3 w/ 15:2) had been sent to the land of Abraham’s people to find a bride for Isaac. Standing by a well of water, he had prayed that God would lead him to the right girl. Up walked a young lady by the name of Rebekah, and in answer to his prayer, she had offered him drink from the well – and watered all his camels.
The servant finds out that this Rebekah is the daughter of Bethuel, Abraham’s nephew. She invites him to her father’s house, and here the servant offers this word of thanks and praise to the God of his master Abraham.
And he makes an interesting statement. I being in the way, the LORD led me…
All of us, at some time or another, in some way or another, are in need of God’s leading and God’s direction. What we need to be reminded of is the fact that the Lord is pleased to grant such guidance and direction, on the condition that we prove that we really want it by following the directions He’s already provided.
Some of you are in a similar situation to the theme of Genesis 24. You’re asking God to lead you to the right man/woman that you can spend the rest of your life with. And that’s a good thing (Proverbs 18:22). I’d keep asking. I’d keep looking. But even more importantly, I’d make sure to the best of my ability that I’m walking in the light of God’s word…because God tends to lead those who are already “in the way.”
Or perhaps you feel God’s call on your life to go to the foreign mission field, and that’s great. You’re the answer to many a Christian’s prayer (Matthew 9:37-38). But don’t make the mistake of sitting around waiting and praying and trying to figure out the “perfect will of God” as to your particular field of service. Sure, devote much time to prayer. Sure, be a student of the world. Sure, be sensitive to the Lord’s leading in that area. But in the meantime, “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5). Get busy serving the Lord. Go ahead and learn a language. Read all the missions books you can get your hands on. In God’s time, He’ll provide the leading – provided you’re “in the way.”
The principle runs from one end of the Bible to another. Before God gives anybody more light, He wants to see what they’re doing with the light they already have. And for those who are walking in that light, the Lord is faithful to come just in time and give a little more light and show them just exactly where that next step on the pathway is.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Psalm 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
