January 8
Before He Had Finished
Genesis 24-26
Writing today’s devotion really excites me. Abraham had sent his servant back to his people to find a wife for Isaac, and that servant prayed with specificity as he sought the Lord’s direction: “Let the girl to whom I say, ‘Please lower your water jug so that I may drink,’ and who responds, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels also’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac’” (Gen 24:14).
He prayed that way, and watch what the text tells us twice about how quickly God responded to his prayer:
- “Before he had finished speaking, there was Rebekah” (Gen 24:15)
- “Before I had finished praying silently, there was Rebekah coming with her jug on her shoulder, and she went down to the spring and drew water. So I said to her, ‘Please let me have a drink’” (Gen 24:45)
It’s no wonder the servant could report that the Lord made his journey a success – God was answering his prayer before he had even finished praying it! I know answered prayer doesn’t always happen that way, but it sure is good to know what God has done in the past and could do again today. Why would we not spend time on our knees communicating with this God?
RESPONSE: Spend significant time in prayer today.
