A Study in Genesis

Telling people what God has done in our lives is harder than one might think!

Countless times, I have heard testimonies from individuals about how God has done something in their life, only to hear a story purely directed to bring attention to the person telling the story. This is sad because typically the audience is actively listening, and it provides a perfect opportunity for us to share what the Lord has done and give Him the honor that He deserves. We play only a small role in what God is doing; let’s not make us into something we are not.

In the section of scripture we are discussing today, we see Eliezer provide to Laban and Bethuel his testimony of what God had done. Read Genesis 24:29 through 49. I want to direct your attention to what Eliezer’s intentions are; it is not to cause the audience to focus on Eliezer but rather the mission of God. His testimony ends with a call to Laban, Bethuel, and Rebekah. Eliezer does not spare details and does not gloss over the interactions he has with the Lord in prayer, but focuses on providing the details that the audience needs. Eliezer is on a mission, and that mission is ultimately to reveal the plan of the Lord to these three. Ironically, Rebekah is the one who recognizes the call. When we give an account of what God has done in our own lives, we need to be on guard that it is not self-directed and a cause for us to have pride. We should be careful and recognize that pride can also disguise itself as a false sense of humility. I have seen many pastors cry at the pulpit and proclaim they themselves are sinners in need of a righteous God and that they are saved by God choosing them. And yet, when you carefully examine their words, you see it is full of pride and a general lack of knowledge of Christ. Be careful who you listen to and learn from, many “christians” tickle the ears and provide what the audience wants to hear rather than the truth of what God wants to do. Paul told us to be ready, 1 Peter 3:15“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always [be] ready to [give] a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;”

Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,

JL

SUMMER PRAYER FEST

For our summer prayer fest, let’s ask the Lord to help us examine in our own lives times when He has worked with us. And how best we can present that to others to give God the glory! Focus on Isaiah 52:7 “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good [things,] Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”