How Do You Find God's Will?

Genesis 24

How do you find God's will? This is probably one of the most pressing questions of our lives - those that have given their lives to the Lord want to know what He wants them to do. But often what we want is easy wisdom - we want God to download specific instructions to our PDA and lay it out for us.\r
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It doesn't work that way - there is an interaction that must take place - then we often fall down and we blame God - but in the process of trying to find and follow His will we learn more about ourselves and about Him - it is training.\r
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Hebrews 5:11-14 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. \r
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So we need to engage in this process - but there are some ways for us to receive help in determining God's will - and we see tonight one man who needs to learn God's will in the worst way - the servant of Abraham, Eliezer. \r
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Notice as we get started that Eliezer is identified in only two ways in this chapter - as "the servant of Abraham," or "the man." As we seek to follow God's will we need to understand that we do so as part of a larger reality - it is really all about the Lord, not about us - only how we fit into God's reality and plan. Sometimes we lose sight of that and wonder why God answers in the ways He does.\r
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Ephesians 4:15-16 â?¦ speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. \r
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Longest chapter so far in Genesis.\r
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Verses 1 - 4\r
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The chieftans in the surrounding areas would have jumped at the chance to form a political alliance by marrying into Abraham's family. \r
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But Isaac was part of the covenant of God - he was special. He wasn't just part of the culture around him. Someone had to marry his son who was close enough to his own family that there would be no question in the end: loyalty to God or loyalty to the Canaanite culture.\r
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Putting the hand under the thigh was the way they made covenants. You agree to do what they guy said. \r
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So Abraham sent Eliezer 400 miles away to his brothers house.\r
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Verse 5 - 9\r
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If it doesn't work out you are off the hook.\r
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Why was Isaac not supposed to go back? It doesn't say. Could be: Isaac was to inherit the promise of the covenant. This would become a nation and a Messiah. It's hanging by one thread - Isaac. Abraham is taking no chances that the progenitor of the Messiah is going nowhere - but it happens here in the Promised Land.\r
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There is no going back after you have come to the Promised Land (salvation). You don't go back to the old life to make it happen.\r
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So the first thing we see about finding God's will is that there are absolutes. Salvation is from no other than Jesus - God's Word is true whether we can prove or reason it to be so. Sin is sin. These are important backstops - while there is great freedom in finding God's will there are also things that will not change.\r
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The second thing is that Eliezer was serious about it. You can't just goof around and not walk with God and not want to hear Him direct you and then expect it to just happen "poof!". Are you serious about letting God guide your life? \r
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Jeremiah 29:12-14 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,"\r
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Verses 10 - 12\r
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He probably went to Haran. North and east of Palestine. 400 miles. 10 camels and handlers can carry a lot of stuff. 6 weeks of travel.\r
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The women got the water for the household - and it would be news central for the community.\r
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Eliezer is relying on God's covenant love through Abraham to answer this prayer to meet the woman. \r
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The third thing that Eliezer does is prays. I know that sounds silly - but it amazes me how often we neglect to actually ask for God's will and His answers.\r
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James 4:2 says "you have not because you ask not." \r
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The next thing (4) is also associated with the verse in James: \r
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James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. KJV\r
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In verse 12 Eliezer prays "Give me success today. Give success to my master Abraham." What motivates your prayers? Is it all about you in the end or is it for God's glory?\r
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Verses 13 - 14\r
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5. He asks for a sign - now I don't advocate that we all wait for signs in order to know God's will - what I'm suggesting from this story is that he looked for God to be in the outcome. Eliezer looked for a woman who was kind, gracious, willing to give to others - all qualities that would make an excellent wife for Isaac. \r
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Would he have asked for the first person to tell him to get lost to be Isaac's wife? I don't think so. I'm walking a little bit of a fine line here - but to illustrate what I mean turn to James 3:\r
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James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. \r
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In other words - look for those qualities in a decision that will make you more like Christ, or bear the most fruit for Jesus.\r
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Verse 15 - 21\r
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A camel drinks 20 gallons when it's thirsty. 10 camels would drink 200 gallons - all in one jug that probably only carries a couple of gallons. So if a girl actually does this - it'd be a catch!\r
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This would have been unusual. \r
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Sometimes it's okay to say this - not every day - Lord, tell me whether to turn right or left - but sometimes you need sovereign direction in a circumstance. The answer doesn't always come in the way we expect, but it does come.\r
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Sure was a quick answer to prayer!\r
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Verses 22 - 25\r
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Eliezer doesn't waste any time - especially when he finds out she is related to Abraham. Nahor was Abraham's brother - so, yes, Rebekah is Isaac's 1st cousin. Again - they didn't have algae in the gene pool like we do.\r
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Verses 26 - 27\r
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After determining what he thinks is the answer he acts on it (6) - sometimes we fail to find God's will because we fail to follow through - we are afraid of making a mistake. If you are sincere in following the Lord then you don't need to worry - He'll bring you to the right path - how big is your God?\r
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Verses 28 - 31\r
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Laban enters the story - he will become very important later on with Isaac and Rebekah's son Jacob. I don't think it's wrong to assume that Laban's welcome to Eliezer may have something to do with all the treasure and presents he was handing out.\r
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Rebekah was 15 or 18 years old. \r
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Verses 32 - 33\r
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Eliezer is bound to his task - he will not be sidetracked.\r
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Verses 34 - 49 Recounting of the story - adding the factor that an angel went before him.\r
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That's the next thing - in verse 40 where Eliezer acknowledges that an angel went before them. God knows your needs - and will go before you to prepare the way.\r
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Proverbs 3:6 "Acknowledge the Lord in all you do and He will make your paths straight." \r
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Verses 50 - 51\r
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It appears as if Laban is accepting God's will - but not really.\r
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Verses 52 - 55\r
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They want her to remain 10 days "or so" - this indefinite period might have dragged on forever. Remember that they were never to see Rebekah again so you can understand.\r
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Verses 56 - 58\r
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They won't let him go - then they ask Rebekah's opinion - pretty unusual. \r
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Verses 59 - 61\r
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They have no more excuses so they load her up and bless her.\r
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Verse 62 - 67\r
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The scene shifts - remember now this is the first time we've seen Isaac since Mount Moriah.\r
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Beer - well. Lahai Roi - the living one who sees me\r
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Isaac meditates. means: to talk to yourself, mumble to yourself, complain, or meditate. Was he worried about how long it was taking?\r
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Conclusions:\r
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Abraham was in a jam - he needed a wife for Isaac. \r
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1. When you are in a jam, slow down and ask yourself - what do I know about God and my purposes and the covenant. This will give you parameters within which you can make decisions. He had some things he could not overstep.\r
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2. Then do what you can to move in the right direction.\r
There is a time to wait and a time to move - in between is a balance\r
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3. Be prepared for an investment of time and money because nothing valuable in life is cheap or quick.\r
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God's will will not hit you on the head - you have to ask Him. You won't find it by accident - the key is you are walking with Him. \r
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You also won't miss God's will by accident.\r
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So here again are the 10 things we find in this chapter about finding God's will:\r
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1. There are absolutes (Verses 5 - 9)\r
2. Get serious about finding God's will (verse 9)\r
3. Pray about it (verse 12)\r
4. Make your prayers for God's glory (verse 12)\r
5. Look for God in the outcome (verse 12)\r
6. Act on it (verse 23)\r
7. Give thanks (verse 27)\r
8. Share what God has done (34-49)\r
9. Acknowledge the supernatural (40)\r
10. Stick to it - don't be sidetracked by doubt or temptation from the enemy (33, 56)\r