I sat across from a friend sharing coffee and conversation when I confessed a longing I had been hiding. After the words were out of my mouth, I almost wished I could push the rewind button and take the desire of my heart back. But the words had been spoken, and they lingered over the table between us. “Do you think that’s crazy?” I asked.
For some time, I had felt a tug to do something different. I wasn’t sure how or when or even why, but I knew that God had placed this desire in my heart. However, I had no earthly idea how I could transition from where I currently served to a new role where I could use my God-given gifts.
My friend leaned in and smiled at me. “No, you are not crazy. I can see you doing just that. And, I have no idea how it will happen, but God does. Why don’t we pray about it?” And then she grabbed my hand, and she asked God to open up a door for me to do a “new thing” for His glory.
One week later, I got a phone call from a friend I had not spoken to in years. She was working for a new ministry, and they had an open position. She had immediately thought about me. As she described the opportunity, my heart started to accelerate. Everything she said matched the dream I had shared with my friend just days earlier.
However, saying yes to this invitation required me to leave behind everything I had already established and exit to a completely new location. I had a decision to make. I could either follow in faith, or let fear hold me captive.
Maybe like me, you have wrestled with anxiety about what tomorrow may hold. We worry about our health, our loved ones, or finances. We hesitate to move forward because we cannot control the outcome, so we stay stuck in the valley of indecision.
Rebekah rose up in faith and mounted a camel. She followed God’s servant and rode away to a new future. She left behind all to go the Lord’s way. Her trust in God challenges me.
Friends, God is “all about the details.” He knows our hearts, and He perfectly orchestrates the events of our lives. The marriage of Rebekah and Isaac was a fulfillment of His promise to Abraham and his descendants. The thread of God’s redemption weaves through each generation and beautifully displays how God’s steadfast love never leaves us. Rebekah was convinced that she was a part of God’s plan, and she was committed to pleasing Him.
Let’s pray and ask God to give us a holy confidence in His providential care for our lives. Like Rebecca, we can lift our eyes and look up to see what God has planned for our day and move forward with a sure step. We worship God when we willingly respond and resolve to obey. When we commit our way to bring God glory, we will never regret our decision.
Week 5 Challenge:
Why is faith so important to God? What does it mean to be sure of what we hope for and convinced of what we do not see? Spend time this week reflecting on the faith of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Rebekah. What can you learn from their faith?
Week 5 Reading Plan
Week 5 Memory Verse
Have you purchased The Greatest Gift Given Bible study journal yet? Not only will you find all of the daily reading passages and SOAP journaling pages, but you’ll have each of the daily devotions in printed form–no need to check the app on your phone while working through your study!
Don’t forget, the Bridge Reading Plan is only available in the printed journals! The Bridge is a two-week long reading plan designed to bridge the gap between two studies. In the Greatest Gift Given journal you’ll find the Bridge Reading Plan along with two weeks of SOAP journaling pages and daily Scripture reading! Don’t miss this! The Bridge reading plans will walk through the entire Book of Psalms during 2021. This plan is found only in the study journals, so grab one today! You don’t want to miss out!
When you purchase a journal, you are helping us reach women around the world with the gospel. By purchasing a journal you help our incredible team of volunteer translators build up leaders around the world. Your journal purchase allows women to read God’s Word in their native language and have access to quality Bible study materials in the language they best understand. We hope you’ll join us on our mission to make God’s Word accessible to women in every nation and in every language!
Order The Greatest Gift Given and The Greatest Gift Given for Kids journals here!
