Psalms 84:11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
This passage of scripture is as simple and straight-forward as it gets. If there is something that's good for us, God is going to grant it unto us. It's just that simple. When we pray, we should always ask that God's will for us may be done, for our requests are often off-track and in many instances will do more harm than good if God were to grant them. This truth is clearly brought to view in the scriptures and should always be considered when making petitions to the Lord, for God sees the end from the beginning and is therefore fully equipped to plan and execute in the most efficient and beneficial manner. Let's read:
Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
A striking example of this truth can be found in the experience of Isaac who was ready to get married, but faced the daunting prospect of finding Miss Right. However, Isaac did what we all should do when facing similar challenges, he prayed and prayed and prayed. He also did what most of us are unlikely to do, by letting God choose the right person for him, with no interference on his part. It is very likely that if we were in Isaac's shoes we would become very nervous and apprehensive as to the choice God would make. Would God's choice be just a "spiritual" person with no external beauty, and would His choice just have good character without any physical appeal?
According to our text for today, God's choice in such instances will have both, for the Bible teaches us that He is a God of beauty as well as of sound character, and so Isaac could rest assured that God's choice for him would be the very best and nothing less. Let's read:
Genesis 24:15 And it came to pass, before he had done speaking, that, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel, son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham's brother, with her pitcher upon her shoulder. 16 And the damsel was very fair to look upon, a virgin, neither had any man known her: and she went down to the well, and filled her pitcher, and came up. 63 And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming. 64 And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel. 65 For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself. 66 And the servant told Isaac all things that he had done. 67 And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.
This touching story of God's providence should be a constant reminder to us, that we can safely trust our cases with God, who only gives the very best of gifts to His children. We therefore end with a promise that should serve the purpose of strengthening our faith and confidence in God, that He will supply all of our needs in the very best way possible, if we "walk uprightly". Let's read:
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
May this be our experience today and for the rest of our lives. God bless!