For the past couple of months I have been meditating on the story of Isaac and Rebecca. In this account Abraham charges his servant to go and find a wife for his son Isaac. Abraham did not want his son to marry one of the Caananites but wanted him to marry among his own people. God never wants us to settle for a spouse that doesn't hold to the same truths that we hold to. It might be easier for us to settle for those who we are surrounded by. We might not even know how God will bring the kind of person that we need. But it is so key to be equally yoked. I'm not just talking about salvation here. Does that person hold to the same values that you do? Are you matched in your destiny? If you're called to the nations and they are called to run the local Sunday School it might not be possible. I was once interested in a girl who had a large destiny but she had no interest in pursuing her destiny. She was holding onto things that needed to be given up so that she might be free to be who she was called to be. At the same time I was running after God with as great a passion as I could- we were not equally yoked.
Abraham's servant is an archetype of the Holy Spirit. Isaac didn't have to do anything. During this time he was carrying out his father's business. Scripture records that he was working in the fields when Eliezer brought back Rebecca. If we are carrying out what God has for us- He will bring us our spouse in His proper timing. We don't need to worry. Scripture says that if we delight ourselves in the Lord then He will grant us the desires of our heart. We don't need to be out hunting for a spouse. Now we need to keep our eyes open. The Lord isn't going to necessarily bonk you over the head with a spouse. He desires to partner with you. But I'm talking about heart posture. You don't have to go out and make it happen. God will bring it about in His timing.
When Eliezer went to find Rebecca he prayed that God would open his eyes and show him who the woman was. He asked the Lord for a sign. Even after he found out that Rebecca was the one he had to pursue her. We, as men, must pursue the woman that God highlights to us. Eliezer made his case for why Isaac was a great man. Even though Eliezer knew that Rebecca was the one she still had a choice. Sometimes God will speak to us on who our future spouse is- but that person always has the free will to accept or reject us as a future mate. If God shows you who your future spouse is, it is so that you can partner with what the Spirit is doing. If you're a guy then you can start pursuing her if that is what God is saying. If you're a woman you can start to encourage a pursuit by demonstrating that you are available.
One of the beautiful things that I find in this story is when Isaac and Rebecca married it records that Isaac loved her. Scripture doesn't often record the fact of a husband loving a wife. I believe that this is a confirmation and a sign that if we submit to what the Spirit is doing in this area of romance then He will bring the perfect spouse into our lives that we will love and cherish. God is not going to bring you someone that you cannot stand. He will bring the right one for you. But we have to be willing to wait. Isaac didn't go out and start looking for a wife prematuraly. Isaac waited until it was God's timing. In the same way we must wait for the Father. But make yourself ready. As you carry out the Father's business He will grant you the desires of your heart.
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