Step One: He had an earnest desire to follow the Lord’s leading. The Servant desired to do the will of Abraham just as we should desire to do God’s will. If there is no desire to do God’s will, we’ll never find it.
Step Two: He had a fervent prayer life. The servant received a command from Abraham and the servant asked questions seeking clear direction: What if the woman won’t come with me?
Through a fervent prayer life, God the Father will give us certain instructions. If we are fearful or need more information before setting out to do God’s will, pray to the Lord for further guidance and encouragement. Abraham did not leave the servant without further direction: It was promised that an angel would go before the servant. God does not leave us without direction. He will go before us!
As hard as doing the will of the Lord might be, it’s a lot easier to first get clear direction from Him and pursue it, than setting off on our own course of trial and error only to make irreversible mistakes and later find ourselves praying for forgiveness for being so foolish.
Step Three: He conformed his will to the will of his master. The servant got his orders from Abraham and had some doubt as to whether the plan would work: What if she won’t come with me? Should I bring Isaac to that land? But Abraham confirmed the instructions and the servant brought his will into conformity with Abraham. The servant left Isaac at home and went forward by faith.
So should we bring our will into conformity with the Lord and not change the instructions that the Lord clearly gives. And you’ll notice that when a Christian wants to do their own will, they will accept the strangest and slightest indication that might prove God is leading them in that direction.
Step Four: The servant got prepared (v.10). The servant got clear direction and he physically prepared himself with the things needed to do the Lord’s will. When we find out what God wants us to do, let’s make the physical preparations that are necessary.
Step Five: He followed the Lord’s leading (v.27). If you want to do God’s will, get moving, doing what you know to do. The servant knew he had to leave and where he had to go. He did not know who he would meet, but he trusted God’s leading.
He did not abandon his Master’s instructions. He never left the road he started out on.
Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
A good Christian follows the Lord. And if the Christian should fall, he shall not be utterly cast down as the Lord continues to hold his hand and lead him!
Step Six: The servant looked for God’s leading (v.12-21). He followed God’s leading at the well and his prayer was answered before he could finish praying! (v.15) We like those kinds of answers!
Notice that there was no flash of lightning or burning bush indicating which lady was the answer to the servant’s prayer – just the trivial occurrences of day-to-day life at the well. Fortunately, this servant was discerning and not oblivious. He saw God’s hand in what appeared to be trivial matters to others. Beneath all the nothings and littlenesses, he saw the Lord clearly at work! God leaves a great deal to our common sense (which presents a problem for some!) Look to see how God is leading us by every day circumstances!
And when we get guidance from the Lord we need to follow it; whether the finger points down the easy path we want to go on or through some tangled path we want to avoid.
If we can determine to live that way in our daily life, God will always make it known where to go in His time.
