SCRIPTURE: Genesis 24
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
(Read my reflection from 2008)
Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, “Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. [Genesis 24:26-27]
Abraham’s servant prays for God’s help, and then praises God AFTER he receives help.
He asks for God to bless his mission with success, and thanks God when he does.
A big part of worship (our response to the greatness and goodness of God) is praise and thanks for His help and mercy and kindness in our lives.
But another part of worship is trusting God for that help BEFORE we receive it.
This servant learned that God works on behalf of His children to help them succeed in His purpose for them.
Would he continue to trust God for future needs and challenges?

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” [John 11:41-42]
Jesus has experienced God’s faithfulness and help in His life so far, and He seems to trust God for the things still to come.
Lazarus is not alive yet, yet He thanks God BEFORE he is resurrected.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [Luke 9:16-17]
The people are not fed yet, and there are still only 5 loaves and 2 fish, yet Jesus thanks God BEFORE they are multiplied.

Today’s story ought to encourage us that God is at work in our lives, helping us according to His good purpose for us.
In this case, God gives the servant exactly what he asks for; sometimes this happens, but sometimes God’s answer is different and ultimately better than we ask for.
When Jesus asks God for another “cup” to drink from, He submits to God’s answer no matter what it is [Matthew 26:39].
Like Abraham’s servant, we ought to pray BEFORE we see God’s answer, asking God to help us fulfill His good purpose for us.
But like Jesus, we also can praise and thank God BEFORE we see God’s answer, because we trust Him, confident that God will do what is right and good and best.
It is always good to worship God AFTER we see His answer; but it is also good, perhaps even better, to worship God BEFORE we see His answer.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” [John 20:29]

PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for the assurance of Your help in regards to my own particular challenges and needs. I praise You, for You have not abandoned Your kindness and faithfulness to me!