Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. The people of God, who are the
bride of Christ, cannot be distinguished from the inhabitants of this
world in their natural state, wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince
of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the
children of disobedience, among whom we also had our conversation
in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires
of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. We see an illustration of the
calling of the bride of Christ and the calling of Rebecca to
be the bride of Isaac. On the day that she was found
by the servant of Abraham, she was not seeking a husband, nor
did she have any desire to leave her happy home in the land of
her nativity. Neither did any of the children
of God have any desire after the things of God, for they were
dead in trespasses and sins. Eliezer, the servant of Abraham,
was sent by Abraham to a particular place for the express purpose
of getting a bride for his son Isaac. He would not return until
he had accomplished exactly what he was sent to do. The Holy Ghost
will not fail to accomplish exactly what He came to do. He will awaken
the people of God and speak to them of Christ. Rebecca was showered
with gifts by Eleazar out of the abundance of the riches which
were in his master's house. Her heart was softened towards
Eleazar and ultimately won over by the bestowal of these gifts
and kindnesses. The Holy Ghost gives the children
of God the gift of faith when they are compelled to follow
Christ. Blessed be the Lord who daily loatheth us with benefits,
even the God of our salvation, Selah. Thy people shall be willing
in the day of thy power." When asked by her father if she would
go with Eliezer, she gladly consented even though she knew little about
her future husband. She went out from her family
having no idea how to get to where Isaac was, yet her way
was marked out by the same one who came from a far country to
get her. She was carried on her journey without any effort on
her part. Her safety and direction was assured by him who was a
faithful servant. She rode upon the back of a camel
from the land of her nativity to that place where she would
continually dwell with her husband. These camels were not her own,
but belonged to the same One who had sent His servant to fetch
her. So Christ has sent His Holy Spirit to gather His children
from the four corners of the earth. They ride upon the backs
of His camels of grace, which are both sure-footed and know
the way home even in the midst of the darkest night, the raging
storms of trouble, or the merciless heat of the sun. For He has said,
I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Faithful is He
that calleth you, who also will do it. The scriptures say that
she rode upon the camels and followed the man, which was the
master's servant. Now, on the one hand, she didn't
have much choice in the matter because, after all, she did not
know the directions which would take her to her destination.
Yet at the same time, she wanted to follow him because she believed
that he knew the way and had proven himself kind and trustworthy
by his gifts and demeanor. My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me. The servant took Rebecca to his
master. He did not leave her to wander
about here and there, just hoping that she would arrive someday
in time for his master's son's wedding. He left nothing to chance,
but made sure that she would arrive at the proper destination
at the proper time. Whom he did predestinate, them
he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom
he justified, them he also glorified. And then finally we see the scripture
say, Eliezer went his way. He had a pathway which he had
already traversed. He did not ask Rebekah for any
input on the journey, nor did he alter his course to suit her
whims along the way. The pathway which the Lord had
seen fit to lead us down is seldom one we would choose. It is a
way which we knew not, but it is known well to Him. We desire
to see all of our hopes and dreams fulfilled. We would never choose
to be sick or fall into poverty of any sort. We would avoid all
pitfalls and discomfort. We would desire a life of ease
and plenty. Yet it is not pleased the Lord
to design our lives just like we would want them to be. While
He has not designed for us a life free of temptation and trial,
He has promised that He would, with the temptation or trial,
make a way that we might escape it. Christ is our Deliverer in
all things. Have you been called from a far
country to be wed to Christ? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.