And I bowed my head and worshiped the LORD, and blessed the LORD God of my master Abraham, who had led me in the way of truth to take the daughter of my master's brother for his son. Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. And if not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand or to the left."
Then Laban and Bethuel answered and said, "The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good. Here is Rebekah before you; take her and go, and let her be your master's son's wife, as the LORD has spoken."—Genesis 24:48-51 (bolding mine)
I am truly loving this verse.
The thing comes from the LORD; we cannot speak to you either bad or good.
What a great way to think about each and everything that comes our way…good or bad. Beloved…nothing comes into a believer’s life without first passing through His sovereign, providential hand. He rules and overrules all for our good and His glory. We need not be afraid. Our hearts can be steadfast as we go through the trials of this life. He is with us. He loves us and has promised to one day receive us into the place He has prepared for us in heaven. We can return to our rest no matter what is going on in our personal lives or in the world around us. He has dealt bountifully with us.
Beloved…Psalm 107:7 tells us that God always leads us forth by the right way. Matthew Henry has said that those who are led by God are well led. It takes a lot of energy to fight against the Lord, and as I age, energy is something I have less and less of. How much better to submit unto His gracious hand and His right leading and trust Him. His will for me comes from His heart of love. He does not afflict me willingly.
With all of that said, I know that I will be tested on this today. I also know that I will fail over and over again. My (our) flesh always puts up a fight. It does not die easily.
Praying then, that as I fail, God uses my failures to write this verse on my heart. Oh, Father…Help me to remember that whatever I face in this life proceeds forth from You who loves me with a sacrificial, everlasting love. Help me to say with Eli—“It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him."—1 Samuel 3:18
saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."—Luke 22:42
This was the LORD's doing;
It is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.—Psalm 118:23-24
Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures:
The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
This was the LORD's doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes'?—Matthew 21:42
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the LORD our God,
Until He has mercy on us.—Psalm 123:2
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.—James 4:7-8
The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever.—Psalm 23
