REFLECTION: In the Way
How an individual was guided…..
One of the loveliest chapters in the Old Testament must be Genesis 24. It can be considered in a number of different ways – containing, as it does, both practical and typical teaching. In this chapter we have a helpful and illuminating illustration of guidance as we see how God controlled and directed the path of one of His servants of old.
Abraham sent his unnamed servant on an important mission to secure a wife for Isaac, his own son. The servant travelled to Mesopotamia and, stopping by a well, prayed a very earnest and specific prayer for God’s own clear direction. He had hardly made his petition before Rebekah arrived and appeared to fulfil all the requirements that he had laid down in prayer. As he entered into dialogue with her, he learned of her background and family and instantly perceived that the Lord had provided her as the bride for Isaac. At once the servant bowed his head and worshipped the Lord, gratefully declaring that the Lord had led him “in the way.”
NECESSARY CONDITIONS
Are we “in the way”, or are we “in the way”? Herein lies a paradox. Sometimes we can get “in the way” of the Lord, making it difficult (if not impossible) for Him to guide us. Selfishness, worldliness, undue haste, sin – all of these can prevent divine guidance. Like Abraham’s servant we must be “in the way” – that is, surrendered and ready for the Lord to direct us. His Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path (Ps.119:105). Through the Scriptures He can say to us, “This is the way, walk ye in it,” (Isa.30:21). As the old hymn tells us, we must “take time to be holy” and must “run not before Him whatever betide.” (1)
He will guide those who are meek, those who humbly and earnestly look to Him in faith and dependence, seeking His absolute control over the affairs of their lives. We must trust in Him wholeheartedly, abandoning our own “wisdom”. His Word assures us that as we acknowledge Him in all our ways, so He shall direct our paths, (Prov.3:5-6). Fanny Crosby’s beautiful hymn “All the way my Saviour leads me” concludes with the words, “Jesus led me all the way.”
This is the pathway of true satisfaction that we need to find. How wonderful to experience that divine guidance so that we may also be able to look back and say, “I being in the way, the Lord led me.”
END NOTE:- (1)Hymn 474 in GOLDEN BELLS: Take time to be holy, by W.D. Longstaff.