A Bride for the Beloved Son

text: Genesis 24

Genesis 24 BSB

1 By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way. 2 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, 4 but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.” 5 The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there. 7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there. 8 And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter. 10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim. 11 As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water. 12 “O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.” 15 Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. 16 Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. 17 So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.” 18 “Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. 19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.” 20 And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels. 21 Meanwhile, the man watched her silently to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success. 22 And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels. 23 “Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.” 25 Then she added, “We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.” 26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, 27 saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.” 28 The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things. 29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring. 31 “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.” 32 So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions. 33 Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.” 34 “I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. 35 “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. 36 My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns. 37 My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’ 39 Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’ 40 And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. 41 And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’ 42 So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! 43 Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’ 44 and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son. 45 And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ 46 She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son. 49 Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.” 50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. 51 Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.” 52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother. 54 Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” 55 But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.” 56 But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.” 57 So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.” 58 They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied. 59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” 61 Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left. 62 Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. 64 And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

PRAY

Introduction:

How have you seen God at work in your life? Can you think of a time when you saw how God was working through the details of your life to bring about something good?

Many times in life we get discouraged because of negative or difficult circumstances in our lives — situations that we would not choose to go through. But the Bible shows us that even when we might not see God at work in our circumstances, God is working — sometimes very clearly, other times more behind the scenes — to fulfill His promises and bless us as His people.

We call this the providence of God.

God is working in and through all the circumstances of our lives to accomplish His good purposes for His glory and our good.

In this story we see one of the greatest displays of God’s providence in Scripture, as well as the proper response to His providence.

Proper Response to God’s Kind Providence:

Faith

Amazement at God’s Power and Love

Worship

Obedience

We don’t always see or understand how God is working or what He is doing through the circumstances of our lives. It often doesn’t make sense to us. In those moments, we must choose to trust Him and His promises to us.

“God Moves in a Mysterious Way” — by William Cowper

1. God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. He plants his footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm. Deep in the dark and hidden mines, With never-failing skill, He fashions all his bright designs And works his sov'reign will.

2. Oh, fearful saints, new courage take: The clouds that you now dread Are big with mercy and will break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace. Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.

3. God's purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour. The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan his work in vain. God is his own interpreter, And he will make it plain.

Refrain: So God we trust in you. O God, we trust in you. When tears are great and comforts few, We hope in mercies ever new, We trust in you.

Scene 1: Introduction

Last week we focused on Genesis 23, which narrates the account of Sarah’s death and burial in the land of promise. The story of Genesis 24 is taking place within a couple of years of Sarah’s death, since Genesis 25 tells us Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah, and we know he was 37 when Sarah died.

So it is in the context of this sorrow and loss that Abraham senses a need to find a wife for his son.

Genesis 24:1 BSB

1 By now Abraham was old and well along in years, and the LORD had blessed him in every way.

2 Promises Fulfilled

Genesis 15:15 “15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.”

Genesis 12:2 “2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”

Scene 2: Abraham’s Tent: Instructions for Abraham’s Servant

We’re not told a specific location of this scene, but we know that Abraham lived in tents, so this is taking place in or around the place where Abraham is staying.

Genesis 24:2–4 BSB

2 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh, 3 and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling, 4 but will go to my country and my kindred to take a wife for my son Isaac.”

Chief servant — Eliezer? (God is my helper)

— see Genesis 15:2–3 “2 But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram continued, “Behold, You have given me no offspring, so a servant in my household will be my heir.””

A wife for my son — need to continue the line of seed; God’s promise of offspring like the stars of the sky would be fulfilled through generations of godly families faithfully bearing children; so Isaac needs a wife, but…

Not a Canaanite wife

Canaanites under God’s curse (Gen 9); their land is to become property of Abraham’s descendants (Gen 15); no intermarriage so as to avoid idolatry

Later descendants of Abraham were also warned not to marry Canaanites

Genesis 28:1 “1 So Isaac called for Jacob and blessed him. “Do not take a wife from the Canaanite women,” he commanded.”

Regarding Canaanites and other people in Canaan, God says to Israel in Deuteronomy 7:3–4 “3 Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, 4 because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.”

A pattern for believers — do not marry an unbeliever, someone who doesn’t worship God, or you will be drawn away from God

2 Corinthians 6:14 “14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?”

Instead, Isaac must have a wife from Abraham’s native land and family

Abraham’s extended family would have been aware of God’s call on his life

From their response in this story, it’s clear they at least acknowledge the LORD, and perhaps they also worship Him.

Essentially, Abraham is seeking a believing wife for his son

As Christian parents, this should be our goal for our children as well; we must guide them toward finding a godly Christian husband or wife.

Genesis 24:5–6 BSB

5 The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to follow me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the land from which you came?” 6 Abraham replied, “Make sure that you do not take my son back there.

God has promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants, and Abraham doesn’t want his son to lose sight of God’s promise.

Genesis 24:7 BSB

7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there.

Notice Abraham’s faith — God will see to it

His faith is based on…

God’s command: Genesis 12:1 “1 Then the LORD said to Abram, “Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.”

God’s promises: Genesis 12:7 “7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.”…

God will send His angel before you — an important phrase that sets up a beautiful pattern, finding fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

Genesis 24:8–9 BSB

8 And if the woman is unwilling to follow you, then you are released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

A provision made, perhaps for the servant’s sake.

The oath sworn

Scene 3: The Journey to Aram-naharaim

Aram-naharaim means Aram of the two rivers; this is probably the same place earlier called Haran and later called Paddan Aram, somewhere in northwest Mesopotamia, in modern day Turkiye.

Genesis 24:10 BSB

10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.

I rode a camel when I went to Israel 8 years ago, and it was not the most comfortable experience.

We don’t know if this servant and his companions rode the camels or walked alongside them, but this was a hard journey either way.

Distance: at least a few hundred miles

Time: Probably at least a couple of weeks, perhaps a month or more (camels can travel 20-40 miles per day, but less when weighed down with a heavy load)

Comfort level: No hotels, no gas stations or restaurants, no AC; not a comfortable or easy trip

Danger: potential danger from robbers or invading armies

God protected him and brought him safely to the right place

Genesis 24:11 BSB

11 As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water.

Wells play an interesting part in the Bible’s story.

Abraham’s servant finds Isaac’s wife Rebekah at a well.

Jacob meets his wife Rachel at a well.

Moses meets his wife Zipporah at a well.

Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at a well — and while He did not marry her, of course, she was apparently the first non-Jewish convert that became part of Jesus’s bride, the Church.

Scene 4.1: At the Well: The Servant’s Prayer

We don’t know much about this servant, but it’s clear that Abraham’s faith in the LORD has rubbed off on him, and now he turns to the LORD in prayer:

Genesis 24:12 BSB

12 “O LORD, God of my master Abraham,” he prayed, “please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

I want my trip to be successful

I want You to show Your faithful love to Abraham — show that You are faithful to Your promises.

And then he makes a specific request — a test:

Genesis 24:13–14 BSB

13 Here I am, standing beside the spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 Now may it happen that the girl to whom I say, ‘Please let down your jar that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well’—let her be the one You have appointed for Your servant Isaac. By this I will know that You have shown kindness to my master.”

The value of specific prayers

Scene 4.2: At the Well: Answered Prayer

God answers his prayer right away.

Genesis 24:15–20 BSB

15 Before the servant had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. 16 Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. 17 So the servant ran to meet her and said, “Please let me have a little water from your jar.” 18 “Drink, my lord,” she replied, and she quickly lowered her jar to her hands and gave him a drink. 19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I will also draw water for your camels, until they have had enough to drink.” 20 And she quickly emptied her jar into the trough and ran back to the well to draw water, until she had drawn water for all his camels.

The answer to the servant’s prayer required action on his part — running to meet her, asking for a drink. Our actions are often part of God’s means of answering our prayers.

Rebekah did exactly what the servant had prayed for.

God answered his specific prayer with specific details.

Genesis 24:21–25 BSB

21 Meanwhile, the man watched her silently to see whether or not the LORD had made his journey a success. 22 And after the camels had finished drinking, he took out a gold ring weighing a beka, and two gold bracelets for her wrists weighing ten shekels. 23 “Whose daughter are you?” he asked. “Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?” 24 She replied, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milcah bore to Nahor.” 25 Then she added, “We have plenty of straw and feed, as well as a place for you to spend the night.”

Scene 4.3: At the Well: Responses

The Servant

Genesis 24:26–27 BSB

26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, 27 saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

Recognizing God’s kindness and faithfulness to Abraham

And God’s kindness and guidance in his own life, in this journey. (As for me…)

Rebekah

Genesis 24:28 BSB

28 The girl ran and told her mother’s household about these things.

Laban

Genesis 24:29–31 BSB

29 Now Rebekah had a brother named Laban, and he rushed out to the man at the spring. 30 As soon as he saw the ring, and the bracelets on his sister’s wrists, and heard Rebekah’s words, “The man said this to me,” he went and found the man standing by the camels near the spring. 31 “Come, you who are blessed by the LORD,” said Laban. “Why are you standing out here? I have prepared the house and a place for the camels.”

Blessed by the LORD — not only Abraham, but also his servant.

Scene 5.1: Bethuel’s House: The Servant’s Story

Genesis 24:32–33 BSB

32 So the man came to the house, and the camels were unloaded. Straw and feed were brought to the camels, and water to wash his feet and the feet of his companions. 33 Then a meal was set before the man, but he said, “I will not eat until I have told you what I came to say.” So Laban said, “Please speak.”

Genesis 24:34–36 BSB

34 “I am Abraham’s servant,” he replied. 35 “The LORD has greatly blessed my master, and he has become rich. He has given him sheep and cattle, silver and gold, menservants and maidservants, camels and donkeys. 36 My master’s wife Sarah has borne him a son in her old age, and my master has given him everything he owns.

Genesis 24:37–38 BSB

37 My master made me swear an oath and said, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites in whose land I dwell, 38 but you shall go to my father’s house and to my kindred to take a wife for my son.’

Genesis 24:39–41 BSB

39 Then I asked my master, ‘What if the woman will not come back with me?’ 40 And he told me, ‘The LORD, before whom I have walked, will send His angel with you and make your journey a success, so that you may take a wife for my son from my kindred and from my father’s house. 41 And when you go to my kindred, if they refuse to give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’

Genesis 24:42–44 BSB

42 So when I came to the spring today, I prayed: O LORD, God of my master Abraham, if only You would make my journey a success! 43 Here I am, standing beside this spring. Now if a maiden comes out to draw water and I say to her, ‘Please let me drink a little water from your jar,’ 44 and she replies, ‘Drink, and I will draw water for your camels as well,’ may she be the woman the LORD has appointed for my master’s son.

Genesis 24:45–48 BSB

45 And before I had finished praying in my heart, there was Rebekah coming out with her jar on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please give me a drink.’ 46 She quickly lowered her jar from her shoulder and said, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels as well.’ So I drank, and she also watered the camels. 47 Then I asked her, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ She replied, ‘The daughter of Bethuel son of Nahor, whom Milcah bore to him.’ So I put the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her wrists. 48 Then I bowed down and worshiped the LORD; and I blessed the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who led me on the right road to take the granddaughter of my master’s brother for his son.

Genesis 24:49 BSB

49 Now if you will show kindness and faithfulness to my master, tell me; but if not, let me know, so that I may go elsewhere.”

Scene 5.2: Bethuel’s House: Responses to God’s Providence

Laban & Bethuel

Genesis 24:50–51 BSB

50 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. 51 Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.”

We have no choice — we cannot speak good or evil; we cannot say yes or no — it is from the LORD, He has decided, He has decreed.

God leads through our circumstances (not as clearly as by His Word); He orchestrates circumstances in our lives to guide us in His will.

The Servant

Genesis 24:52–56 BSB

52 When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. 53 Then he brought out jewels of silver and gold, and articles of clothing, and he gave them to Rebekah. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and her mother. 54 Then he and the men with him ate and drank and spent the night there. When they got up the next morning, he said, “Send me on my way to my master.” 55 But her brother and mother said, “Let the girl remain with us ten days or so. After that, she may go.” 56 But he replied, “Do not delay me, since the LORD has made my journey a success. Send me on my way so that I may go to my master.”

Rebekah

Genesis 24:57–58 BSB

57 So they said, “We will call the girl and ask her opinion.” 58 They called Rebekah and asked her, “Will you go with this man?” “I will go,” she replied.

Scene 5.3: Bethuel’s House: The Sendoff

Genesis 24:59–61 BSB

59 So they sent their sister Rebekah on her way, along with her nurse and Abraham’s servant and his men. 60 And they blessed Rebekah and said to her, “Our sister, may you become the mother of thousands upon thousands. May your offspring possess the gates of their enemies.” 61 Then Rebekah and her servant girls got ready, mounted the camels, and followed the man. So the servant took Rebekah and left.

Scene 6: The Beloved Son and His Bride

Genesis 24:62–67 BSB

62 Now Isaac had just returned from Beer-lahai-roi, for he was living in the Negev. 63 Early in the evening, Isaac went out to the field to meditate, and looking up, he saw the camels approaching. 64 And when Rebekah looked up and saw Isaac, she got down from her camel 65 and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself. 66 Then the servant told Isaac all that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah and took Rebekah as his wife. And Isaac loved her and was comforted after his mother’s death.

The Biblical Pattern in This Story

This story begins a pattern that is repeated and then finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

A Servant Sent to Take a Bride

Abraham’s servant with Rebekah

Moses, God’s servant, with the people of Israel

John the Baptist, God’s servant, preparing a people for Jesus Christ

I Will Send My Angel Before You

Genesis 24:7 “7 The LORD, the God of heaven, who brought me from my father’s house and my native land, who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring I will give this land’—He will send His angel before you so that you can take a wife for my son from there.”

Exodus 23:20 “20 Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.”

Malachi 3:1 “1 “Behold, I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to His temple—the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight—see, He is coming,” says the LORD of Hosts.”

Typology: Understanding the Bible’s Promise-Shaped Patterns; How Old Testament Expectations are Fulfilled in Christ Table 11.2. The Literary Structure of Genesis 24

Moses intended his audience to understand that the sending of the servant for a covenant partner in

Conclusion:

God’s providence is all over this story. It’s clear that God is at work in all the details, working every circumstance to accomplish His good purposes to fulfill His promises for His glory and the good of His people.

And we serve the same God today. We don’t always see what God is up to in our lives and circumstances, but He is working.

How often do we question God — why He allows certain things in our lives — only to understand later that He was up to something good, even in the difficult times of our lives.

God Is in This Story

God is in this story God is in the details Even in the broken parts He holds my heart, He never fails When I'm at my weakest I will trust in Jesus Always in the highs and lows The One who goes before me God is in this story

If it reads like addiction If it reads like disease He's the One who frees the prisoner He's the healer of all things If it reads like depression If it reads broken home He's the One who holds your sorrow He won't leave you here alone

God is in this story God is in the details Even in the broken parts He holds my heart, He never fails When I'm at my weakest I will trust in Jesus Always in the highs and lows The One who goes before me God is in this story God is in my story

Why would God allow me to deal with addiction to a particular sin?

Why would God let me suffer from this illness or disease?

Why would God let me experience such heartache and broken relationships?

We don’t know the answers to all of God’s plans and purposes for us in this life, but we do know what He has promised to those of us who know Christ:

Romans 8:28–29 BSB

28 And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.

God is working all things together for good — every circumstance is part of His perfect design for your life, to accomplish His good purpose for you: To make you look like Jesus. To shape your character to be like the perfect character of His Son, Jesus Christ.

God has promised it, and He will see to it, because He is always faithful to His promises.

Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis IV. Believers May Rest Assured that the Lord Will Complete the Good Work He Has Begun (61–67)

The choice for the bride was God’s choice. The sign confirmed it. Laban recognized it. Rebekah complied with it. Likewise in other situations, those who do the will of God prayerfully and obediently may be confident that they were led by God (

Application:

Trust the Providence of God

Give Thanks and Worship Him

when you see Him at work in your circumstances

God is always faithful. He will always keep His promises.

Oh for grace to trust Him more.