Let us stand, as Isaac did, by the well of “Him that liveth and seeth” and look out on life from there. It is of all importance that we have the right point of view when looking at things. Yes, we need God’s viewpoint, for He sees all that we do, hears all that we say, and even knows our very thoughts. He is recording our lives too, and “Only what’s done for Christ will last.” How about those big plans to make a name for ourselves or to find a resting-place in this world where He was the rejected One? How will they appear in the presence of Him who was once crucified and cast out by sinful men?
Serving the Lord
Life is so short, and the Lord’s coming is near — very near. We have only a little time to live for Him who died for us and rose again. The fields are “white already to harvest” (John 4:3535Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)), and the laborers are few. Many who should have been serving the Lord are either taken up with the cares of this world, or discouraged, for if there ever was a time when Satan was making an assault on the children of God, it is today. He has his traps laid, with the camouflaging so well arranged that things look very attractive, and there are few who choose the safe, though unpopular, path of obedience to God and His Word.
As you read this, you probably have your health and energy, and how nice it would be if you used them for the Lord, owning His claims over your life. There are open doors on every hand. There are people who have never heard the Gospel even in our own lands. There are old people, too, who would appreciate a visit, with a few kindly words and a smile from someone who is young, and this may give an opportunity to speak to them about our precious Saviour and His love. There are young people who are looking for encouragement, who long to find some other young person who wants to follow the Lord, and though we cannot do anything in our own strength, the One “who liveth and seeth” is able not only to show us the right path but will enable us to walk in it. May the Lord grant blessing on our “meditations by the well” (Genesis 24:62-6362And Isaac came from the way of the well Lahai-roi; for he dwelt in the south country. 63And 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. (Genesis 24:62‑63)) and give us the grace, not only to be hearers of the Word, but doers also.
God Knows
Isaac asked the Lord for a son to be the heir of all He had promised him, and the Lord heard his prayer. Rebekah had twins, and it is sweet to notice the simplicity of her faith in it all. When there was something she could not understand, she “went to inquire of the Lord.” What a privilege we have as children of God to be able to look to Him in all our difficulties and problems. God’s answer, too, was one which only faith could lay hold of. How could it be known beforehand that “the elder shall serve the younger”? This is one of the great problems of unbelief but one of the simple things to faith. God knows — yes, He knows everything, past, present, and future, for they are all the same to Him who can “call those things that be not as though they were” (Romans 4:1717(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17)). There are several instances in the Bible where God has told us the names of men, and what they would do, hundreds of years before they were born. It will quiet our fears, and settle our problems as believers, if we always keep these two words in our hearts and memories: God knows.
Further Meditation
1. What did Rebekah do when she could not understand something?
2. How can you serve the Lord today? This chapter suggests many quiet, unobtrusive ways to take God’s Word, comfort and love to others. What might be the way that He wants you to serve?
3. One simple, unseen and easily neglected service to the Lord’s people is prayer. You would be refreshed and stirred up by reading the brief and simple booklet Epaphras: The Service of Prayer by C. H. Mackintosh.