Praying for success
“if now You will make my journey on which I go successful” - Gen 24:42
Abraham’s servant was sent to find Abraham's son, Isaac, a wife. He was sent to a place he did not know to find a woman who will be the bride of someone else’s son… no pressure. The odds of him even finding someone willing to come back with him are slim. But Abraham had faith. He had told his servant, “Just go. If you can’t find someone suitable, then you are released from your oath to me.” Why would he think his servant could accomplish this? Abraham believed God and said, “he will send his angel before you.”
So, Abraham’s servant begins his travels. As, he reaches his destination he prays, “if now You will make my journey on which I go successful.” Then he asks God to show him the woman that God had chosen to be Isaac’s wife. And God does.
I have a son who is also named Isaac. I pray for God to give him a wife that will bless him and join him in the mission that God has given him in this life. But that is not what strikes me when I read this passage.
I am struck by this passage and it causes me to pray as we take the next step in planting another new church in NWA. I feel the weight of uncertainty that Abraham's servant felt. What if this does not happen? Am I just wasting my time and my master’s resources? But those questions and that uncertainty are not faith. I also feel the inability to “make it happen.” Abraham’s servant must have felt his inadequacy as well. But that is also… not faith.
When men are faced with the impossible, we often self sabatoge and quit. This is because pre-emptive quitting is often a more palatable outcome than our failure. So, at all cost, don’t appear foolish because that is too big a risk for human pride to handle. If Abraham’s servant had given into this common sentiment, then his journey would have finished before it began. Yes, Isaac would have sovereignly been wed to Rebekah but God would have had to use different means to bring this couple together. But Abrahams servant takes action… he gets up and goes… that’s his part to play… God will accomplish the rest.
Faith understands that God will accomplish all that He desires.. nothing can stop him. I have only to look back at my life and see His sovereign hand leading me back here to Arkansas to gather his bride together for Him. Now, I pray “if now You will make my journey on which I go successful” then lead me forward. Direct my steps while I continue to remind myself …”O LORD. Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” PS 127:1. I would imagine He does this for my pride's sake. So, that as He accomplishes another new church in NWA, no man, including myself, can take the credit (but we do get to be there and see God accomplish it). May God receive all the glory and may His house be established forever!
Stay tuned… Let's marvel at ALL that He will do!