Mission Impossible Faith

My SOAP devotional for Jan. 26th

S - Genesis 24:10-14, 26-27
"Then the servant took ten of his master's (Abraham's)camels and left, taking with him all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim and made his way to the town of Nahor. He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water. Then he prayed, 'O LORD, God of my master Abraham, give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a girl, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'-let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master."

"Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, 'Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."

O - The servant that goes out to find a wife for Isaac is a strong believer. The servant was in some respects not living in Abraham's household by his own will, because he is a servant, but yet he embraces fully his God. He has so much faith in fact that he believes that God will prompt the RIGHT girl that will say exactly the RIGHT thing, and also happen to be one of Abraham's relatives. This is what he sees as success. He is giving God a tall order and we see the miracle, by my definition, that God delivers exactly what he asks for. In addition, the servant gives God the credit and praise for his provision. Later in this passage, Rebekah is happy to go with this stranger because she too is perhaps inspired by the faith of this servant and sees how God is at work in her life as well.

A - This passage reminds me of the Tom Cruise Mission:Impossible movies when the bad guy says "go to this certain street corner and ask the man on the bench for a stick of gum" and then it happens to be exactly the RIGHT guy who wisks him away to meet this secret person. I always thought it wouldn't be a very good movie if it ended up being the wrong guy and he actually hands him a stick of gum. Tom Cruise would be left standing there blowing bubbles. Actually, that would probably be the Ben Stiller version.

I think this is an interesting passage because we have to be careful not to be selfish in our requests of God. When we ask for too many specifics we are perhaps trying to put God in a box...please do this, but only if this happens. On the other hand, I think that it is important that I make specific requests of God and ask Him to give me a clear sign when He is working in my life, just as Abraham's servant did. It is important to know who's voice you're listening to...even the enemy knows my desires and offers good things. All too often however I am afraid to make requests that are not in line with God's plan so I don't make them, or I make requests that are attached to a selfish agenda, and I am disappointed when I don't get the answer I want or the answer doesn't come at the right time. I must do both...ask and believe, with an attitude of acceptance in His provision. We can only find true peace in God's plan when we believe in the power that we are asking for and trust Him to work in our best interest, down to the small details like providing gum from some guy on a park bench. Sometimes our requests might seem like "mission impossible" but that is only because our sight is limited. God sees all things and I can find satisfaction in knowing that the plan He has laid out for my life is the BEST plan, regardless of whether it's what I've requested or not. I think the key is trust. Do I trust God enough to be bold in my request and then hand it over to Him to work it out?

P - I do believe Lord that I have a strong faith. I believe your promises and that you have my best interest at heart. At times though, God, I have in my heart requests that seem too detailed and too "impossible". I should not be afraid to ask you, nor should I doubt that you would grant these requests if they are in line with your word and your will for my life. I pray Lord that I am always seeking your voice and that you would give me clear signs that you are speaking and moving in my life so that I can give you the credit and all the glory. At the same time, may I always accept with grace when your answer is no. Amen.