THE PRAYER OF FAITH AND THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD

Behind the Scenes

Genesis 17:16 “I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.””

See Genesis 24:7...

Genesis 22:20–23 “Now after these things it was told to Abraham, “Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Uz his firstborn, Buz his brother, Kemuel the father of Aram, Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.” (Bethuel fathered Rebekah.) These eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham’s brother.”

Faith in Action

This account of Abraham’s servant is a wonderful example of living faith in action.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

James 2:17–19 “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

James 2:26 “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”

See him cry out the the Lord in prayer in verses 12-14. See him watch with expectant faith in verse 21. See him bow his head to worship and praise the Lord in verses 26-27 and bow with his face to the ground in worship in verse 52. See him testify to the Lord’s blessing in verses 35, 40, and 48. See him more concerned about being faithful than eating his food in verse 33. And finally, observe how he wants to obey immediately and return to his master in verses 54-56.

The Providence of God

Providence is the governing power of God that oversees His creation and works out His plans for it.

Isaiah 46:9–11 “remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.”

Ephesians 1:11–12 “In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

We see God’s providence in the servant having a safe trip on this long journey and arriving at just the spot that he needs to be. We see it when Rebekah arrives in answer to his prayer before he is even finished praying. We see it on display in the fact that Rebekah is a relative of Abraham. We see it in the fact that the Lord brought a woman who had such character, hospitality, and a commendable work ethic (A camel could easily lose 25 gallons of water on a long journey. She was watering 10 of them!). And to top it all off, she was beautiful! We see it in her family having room and being so welcoming. We see it in her family’s willingness to let her marry Isaac. We see it in her willingness to forego the typical bridal celebrations and follow the servant immediately. We see it when the blessing of her relatives lined up exactly with God’s plan for her. We see it in them meeting Isaac on their way back. And finally, we see it in how they loved one another immediately and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

Our Call to Action

Lord help us to have this kind of faith and dependence on our good, gracious, faithful, and sovereign Lord!

Matthew 7:7–8 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

1 Peter 5:6–7 “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

Psalm 50:15 “and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.””